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May 17, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Shortages Confound Vaccination Logistics"

American Medical News (www.amednews.com) (05/13/02) Vol. 45, No. 18, P. 32; Landers, Susan J.

The current shortage of a number of vaccines is causing enormous problems for doctors.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vaccines used to fight varicella and pneumococcal infections, rubella, mumps, and measles, and pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria are in very short supply at the moment.  Many doctors are concerned that because of the current shortages patients will not return to their offices for all the recommended shots they need, even when the vaccines become available again.  Physicians are particularly worried that parents will not bring their children back in, which could lead to the return of many diseases.  Doctors try to keep track of which patients have received some or all of their recommended shots, but this can be a very frustrating and time-consuming effort.  Dr. Bruce Gellin, the executive director of the National Network for Immunization Information, believes family doctors have done a fantastic job of alerting their patients to the importance of getting all recommended shots.  He suggests that that family doctors might also consider sending out recall notices, similar to the notices sent out by automobile mechanics when a car's oil needs to be changed. In the meantime, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued recommendations that should hopefully stretch current supplies of various vaccines and reduce the risk of leaving children without any protection against disease.

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ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.