Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

------------------------------------------------------------

April 11, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Meningitis, Pneumonia Vaccine in Short Supply"

Charleston Gazette (www.wvgazette.com) (04/10/03) P. P5A; McVicar, Nancy

Prevnar, which is manufactured by Lederle Laboratories and marketed by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, is in short supply due to production problems and high demand.  The vaccine protects infants from the bacteria that causes meningitis, pneumonia, and some ear infections.  The shortage is causing some doctors to ration the vaccine by reducing the number of shots that healthy babies receive from four to three; however, babies with health problems are being given the recommended number of shots.  A study in the Feb. 5 Journal of the American Medical Association found that over 50 percent of 405 doctors' offices in 12 states said they had run out of the vaccine at least once.  The manufacturer is reportedly getting caught up with its production problems, although there is always a lag between manufacturer and shipment to doctors, noted David Neumann, director of the National Partnership for Immunization, a joint program of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Vaccination News Home Page

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.