Vaccines: Vac-Gen/Shortages/main page

Vaccines: Vac-Gen/Shortages/main page

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

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

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 See note4 NEW Nov 12, 2013	No change in Routine Recommendations
Rotavirus	No Updated May 27, 2010
Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis (DTaP and Tdap)	See note1 Updated Sep 11, 2013	No change in Routine Recommendations
Td	No
Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)	See note2 NEW Sep 9, 2013 See note4 NEW Nov 12, 2013	No change in Routine Recommendations
Pneumococcal Conjugated (PCV)	No
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (PPV)	No
Inactivated Polio (IPV)	No
Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR)	See note 3	See Q&As about monovalent M-M-R vaccines Oct 26, 2009
Influenza	No	Current information about influenza, see www.cdc.gov/flu
Varicella/Zoster	No
Hepatitis A	No
Conjugated Meningococcal (MCV4)	No
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)	No

Note¹: Sanofi Pasteur’s pertussis-containing vaccines, Daptacel (DTaP), Pentacel (DTaP-IPV-Hib) and Adacel (Tdap), have been in short supply since mid-August.  Shipping of these vaccines resumed in mid-October of 2013, but as production of these products continues to increase, supply will remain constrained over the next several months.  GlaxoSmithKline has taken steps to meet increased demand for pertussis-containing vaccines and anticipates being able to address gaps related to these supply limitations, using a combination of products and presentations. Of note, during this time period, due to significant increases in demand for Boostrix (Tdap), GSK has put in place controls to help manage inventory to maintain continued supply to the marketplace. Therefore, backorder and delays in deliveries may occur, but are expected to be short in duration. Also, provider preference for vaccine presentation (syringes/vials) may not be able to be accommodated at times during this period. Updated Nov 12, 2013
Guidance document (7 pages) Updated Sep 9, 2013
Quick reference sheet (1 page) Updated Sep 9, 2013

Note²: As a precautionary measure while the production of Pentacel continues to increase as described in Note 1, vaccine ordering for Sanofi Pasteur’s ActHIB (Hib) in the public and private sectors is being controlled to ensure sufficient supplies for providers ordering this vaccine. Updated Nov 12, 2013
Note³: Based on input from the ACIP, professional societies, scientific leaders, and customers on October 26, 2009 Merck announced the company has decided not to resume production of ATTENUVAX® (Measles Virus Vaccine Live), MUMPSVAX® (Mumps Virus Vaccine Live), and MERUVAX®II (Rubella Virus Vaccine Live). This science-based decision will support vaccination of the largest group of appropriate individuals. Updated January 27, 2010
Note⁴: Merck’s Hep B-Hib combination vaccine Comvax® is not currently available for distribution, but is anticipated to be available again in December 2013.  In the interim, Merck is able to supply sufficient quantities of the component vaccines to meet historical demand for the component products as well as for Comvax®. NEW Nov 12, 2013

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.

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.
• 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 vaccines shortages page on CDC's Vaccines & Immunizations site is updated as needed to provide public information on vaccine shortages and/or delays.
The FDA's web page on Biological Product Shortages provides additional information regarding regulatory issues related to vaccine supply.

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Those acronyms and abbrevations not already spelled out above include
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
GSK - GlaxoSmithKline
MMRV - Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella combination vaccine
MMWR - Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
NCIRD - National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
TTY - teletypewriter
Other acronyms

Related Information

• Status of Licensure and Recommendations for New Vaccines
• Influenza Vaccination Recommendations 
• Childhood & Adolescent Immunization Schedules 
• Adult Immunization Schedule
• Standards for Immunization Practices for children & adolescents and adults (7 pages)

Other Shortages and Delays

• On September 7, 2012, CDC’s Rabies site updated its status on the rabies vaccine supply.
• On June 30, 2008, CDC's Travelers' Health web section updated its yellow fever vaccine supply statement.
• Hib (2007-09)
• Menactra (2006)
• Flu (2004)
• Prevnar (2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004)
• Varivax (2001, 2002)
• MMR (2001, 2002)
• Tetanus (2000, 2001)
• DTaP (2000, 2001)

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