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September 25, 2002
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Vaccine Shortfall Hits Alberta"
Calgary Herald (www.calgaryherald.com) (09/24/02) P. A8; Reid, Mark
Prevnar, a vaccine for infants against pneumococcal diseases, is in short supply due to Wyeth-Ayerst failing to meet increasing worldwide demand for the product, which is given to young children in four doses that each cost about C$140. Children in Alberta who were born on or after July 1 will receive the vaccine as part of its immunization program, but children born earlier are facing difficulty getting all four doses of the vaccine. Alberta Health spokesperson John Tuckwell asserts that infants who wait a few extra weeks before received Prevnar will face no significant health problems. Alberta is the first province in Canada to offer Prevnar as part of its childhood immunization schedule, and that is because the province experienced several deadly outbreaks of meningococcal diseases over the past three years.
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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.