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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Vaccines & Immunizations

Vaccines and Preventable Diseases:

Current Vaccine Shortages & Delays
Last Updated September 3, 2008

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This web page contains the latest national information about vaccine supplies and provides guidance to healthcare providers who are facing vaccine shortages or delays.

On June 30, CDC's Travelers' Health web section updated its yellow fever vaccine supply statement. July 3

On August 29, CDC's Rabies site updated its status on the rabies vaccine supply. Sept. 3

Chart of Vaccines* in Delay or Shortage

(Vaccines are listed in order used for the Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.)

National Vaccine Supply Shortages
Vaccine
Shortage
Temporary Change From Routine Recommendation
Hepatitis B No  
Rotavirus No  
Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis (DTaP and Tdap) No  
Td No  
Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) See note 1
Pneumococcal Conjugated (PCV) No  
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (PPV) No  
Inactivated Polio (IPV) No  
Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR) No  
Influenza No
Current information about influenza, see www.cdc.gov/flu
Varicella/Zoster See note 2

No change in Routine Recommendation. Zoster vaccine is available for ordering; however, the manufacturer is experiencing shipping delays. July 11

Hepatitis A See note 3
No change in Routine Recommendation.
Conjugated Meningococcal (MCV4) No  
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) No  

*Note: Only those vaccines included on the recommended childhood and adolescent immunization schedule are included in this update.

Note1: Merck & Co., Inc. has initiated a voluntary recall in the United States for 10 lots of PedvaxHIB® (Haemophilus Influenzae type b Conjugate Vaccine) and two lots of COMVAX® (Haemophilus Influenzae type b Conjugate and Hepatitis B Vaccine).  CDC has implemented interim recommendations for use of H. Influenzae type b Conjugate vaccines. CDC is working closely with the alternative manufacturer of Hib Vaccine (sanofi pasteur) to evaluate and ensure vaccine supply. Specific updates will be provided as soon as they are available. Merck is making every effort to restore its HIB-containing vaccines to full availability as soon as possible. At this time, it is estimated that these vaccines will be available again in fourth quarter 2008.

Note2: Merck has obtained FDA approval for resumption of manufacturing of Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) bulk. VZV bulk is used to manufacture varicella vaccine, MMR-V vaccine, and zoster vaccine. There is adequate supply of Varivax® (varicella vaccine) to fully implement the recommended 2-dose immunization schedule for all age groups, including catch-up.   ProQuad® (MMR-V) is currently unavailable.  Zostavax® (zoster vaccine) is available for ordering, however, the manufacturer is experiencing shipping delays.  Merck vaccine supply status updates including specific shipping status information for zoster vaccine is updated weekly and may be found at www.merckvaccines.com (exit site). July 11

Note3: Merck & Co., Inc., is experiencing production delays and has temporarily discontinued accepting orders for Pediatric and Adult hepatitis A vaccine (Pediatric & Adult VAQTA®). Based on current information, it is estimated that Pediatric VAQTA® will be available in fourth quarter 2008 and Adult VAQTA® in first quarter 2009. GSK production and supply of their Pediatric and Adult hepatitis A vaccine (Pediatric & Adult Havrix®) and their Adult hepatitis A/hepatitis B combination vaccine (Twinrix®) are currently in good supply to meet demand.

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Why are there vaccine shortages?

In the United States shortages of many vaccines in the recommended childhood immunization schedule occurred in the past. Some of these shortages were widespread while others were localized. Reasons for these shortages were multi-factorial and included companies leaving the vaccine market, manufacturing or production problems, and insufficient stockpiles. Consequently, some shortages were only specific to one manufacturer.

Shortages of several of these vaccines necessitated temporary changes in recommendations for their use. During that period, summary information about the shortages including projected duration and recommendations for temporary changes in the childhood immunization schedule were provided.

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Who can I contact to answer my questions?

  • Questions including those dealing with changes in child care and school requirements necessitated by vaccine supply problems when they occur can be answered by
    State Health Department immunization programs at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/international/relres.html

    General immunization questions can be answered by
    The CDC Contact Center at 1-800-CDC-INFO
    (1-800-232-4636) English and Español

How often will this information be updated?
This page on the NCIRD web site www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/shortages/ is updated as needed to provide public information on vaccine shortages and/or delays.

The FDA's web page on Biological Product Shortages www.fda.gov/cber/shortage/shortage.htm (exit) provides additional information regarding regulatory issues related to vaccine supply.

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Acronyms and Abbreviations

AAFP - American Academy of Family Physicians
AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics
ACIP - Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
FDA - Food and Drug Administration
GAO - United States General Accounting Office
MMWR - Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
NCIRD - National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
TTY - teletypewriter
Other acronyms

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Related Information

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Archived Shortages & Delays

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Non-CDC Link Disclaimer: Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization web pages found at these links.

This page last modified on September 3, 2008
Content last reviewed on April 24, 2008
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

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Vaccines and Immunizations