Vaccines and Preventable Diseases:

Updated Recommendations on Use of PCV
in a Setting of Vaccine Shortage

March 2, 2004

Recommendation Update

On February 13, 2004, CDC recommended that health-care providers temporarily suspend routine use of the fourth dose of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) when immunizing healthy children. This action was taken to minimize the likelihood of shortages until Wyeth Vaccines is able to restore production capacity. Since that recommendation was issued, PCV7 production has been much less than had been expected and shipments have been delayed resulting in shortages of vaccine. Widespread shortages may continue beyond this summer. To further conserve vaccine, CDC, in consultation with the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, recommends that all health-care providers temporarily suspend routine use of both the third and fourth doses, effective immediately. It is critical that all providers immediately follow this recommendation, regardless of their current vaccine supply. Children at increase risk of severe disease should continue to receive the routine, 4-dose series. On March 5, 2004, CDC published an MMWR article describing this revised recommendation. This recommendation reflects CDC’s assessment of the existing national PCV7 supply and may be changed if the supply changes.