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 18, 2002
U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"States Ration Low Supplies of Five Vaccines for Children"
New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/17/02) P. A20; Pear, Robert
Due to vaccine shortages and warnings about future shortages, states have begun rationing five immunizations that protect children from eight diseases--including chickenpox, rubella, and measles--and reducing state immunization requirements, according to the General Accounting Office. The shortages are due to a variety of reasons, such as production problems, more demand than expected, elimination of products, and reformulation of some vaccines to remove a theoretically harmful preservative. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) asserts that the present vaccine supply system is not guaranteed and is therefore inadequate, putting children at risk of contracting dangerous diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that it could take as much as four or five years to build stockpiles of the recommended vaccines, due to the length of time it takes to produce the vaccines and the current demand for them.
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.