Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.
------------------------------------------------------------
September 23, 2002
U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Resumption of Routine Schedule for Varicella Vaccine"
Journal of the American Medical Association (www.jama.com)
(08/28/02) Vol. 288, No. 8,
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the resumption of the routine schedule for vaccinations with the varicella vaccine, as the supply of the vaccine, also known as Varivax, has become sufficiently high to continue. Its maker, Merck, had halted Varivax production for some time, and as the only U.S. producer of the vaccine, caused a shortage for that period. ACIP had recommended for that time that the dose usually administered between the ages of 12 months and 18 months be delayed to between 18 months and 24 months, while priorities were arranged in case of an extended shortage. The new availability means that unvaccinated children should be recalled for vaccinations.
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.