From the American Academy of Pediatrics to their state chapters:

Temporary Discontinuance of Production of DTaP (Tripedia) and DTaPHiB

(TriHIBit) by Aventis Pasteur

On July 10, 2001, Aventis Pasteur, one of the two U.S. manufacturers of DTaP vaccine, notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that it will be unable to meet its DTaP and DTaPHib vaccine government contract obligation for the next 8 weeks.  This temporary delay has resulted from problems that occurred with the switch in production from 10 dose to single dose vials.

Physicians who receive DTaP from health departments through Vaccines for Children (VFC) or 317 programs may not be able to receive Aventis Pasteur DTaP or DTaPHib preparations for the next 8 weeks, depending on the supply in individual states.  However, states will be able to provide DTaP vaccine manufactured by Glaxo SmithKline (Infanrix).  Glaxo SmithKline (GSK) has assured CDC that a sufficient supply of DTaP vaccine will be made available to cover the current public purchase needs for the DTaP 5 dose schedule.  CDC will continue to work with the state immunization programs to assure a steady supply of DTaP.  Please direct questions to your regular health department VFC ordering contact.

In the private market, Aventis Pasteur will continue to supply DTaP vaccine at the current rate of distribution.  All currently available Aventis Pasteur DTaP vaccine is safe and immunogenic.

The Aventis Pasteur and GSK vaccines can be used interchangeably.  The Red Book contains the following recommendation regarding DTaP vaccine interchangeability: “in circumstances in which the previously administered product(s) is not readily available, any of the DTaP vaccines licensed for use in the primary series may be used (1).”  The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice of the CDC recommendation states: “When administered according to their licensed indications, different diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccines as single antigens or various combinations, as well as the live and inactivated polio vaccines, also can be used interchangeably.”  There are new data that show that the immunogenicty and safety of DTaP in mixed schedules is equivalent to the immunogenicty and safety of DTaP given with single product series.

The American Academy of Pediatrics will provide current information about DTaP supply as it evolves on its website (www.aap.org) and in the AAP News.

 

(1)  American Academy of Pediatrics.  In: Pickering LK, ed. 2000 Red Book:

Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 25^th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL.  American Academy of Pediatrics; 2000:440.

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.