This statement is in follow-up to an earlier announcement from June 2008 regarding supply limitations of the yellow fever vaccine (YF-VAX®) manufactured by sanofi pasteur (Swiftwater, Pa.). The manufacturer has informed CDC that due to a minor production delay, ordering limits for both the single-dose and five-dose vials of YF-VAX® will remain in place. These ordering limits are expected to be in place until late spring or early summer 2009. As additional product becomes available, sanofi pasteur will adjust ordering limits accordingly.

As a reminder, according to the manufacturer’s package insert, all YF-VAX® must be used within one hour of reconstitution (both single-dose and five-dose vials). Clinics using the five-dose vials are advised to schedule patients to efficiently use the available vaccine doses within this one-hour timeframe.

Health-care providers should refer to Chapter 5: Yellow Fever Vaccine Requirements and Information on Malaria Risk and Prophylaxis, by Country in CDC Health Information for International Travel 2008 (the “Yellow Book”) for information about which countries require yellow fever vaccination for entry and for which countries CDC recommends yellow fever vaccination. In the absence of a country requirement, CDC does not recommend yellow fever vaccination if the traveler's itinerary does not include travel to a yellow fever-endemic area.

For further information, contact sanofi pasteur at 1-800-VACCINE (1-800-822-2463).