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September 20, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Meningitis Vaccine Shortage May Put Kids at Risk"

Toronto Star (www.thestar.com) (09/20/02) P. A8; Lu, Vanessa

Wyeth-Ayerst's pneumococcal meningitis vaccine Prevnar, which was approved in Canada last year, is now in short supply in the country due to manufacturing problems at a U.S. facility.  Health Canada's national advisory committee on immunization recommends that the vaccine be administered to all young children.  The four-shot series starts at two months of age and costs C$75 to $100 a dose.  Canadian doctors are concerned that delay in the vaccination schedule could lead to a lack of protection against the disease.  However, a spokesperson for Wyeth-Ayerst Canada said the situation was temporary and noted that "if a child delays one of their shots, as long as they get their [additional] shots, it doesn't compromise the efficacy of the vaccine."

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