Current Vaccine Shortages & Delays

Last Updated July 30, 2014

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 note 1	No change in Routine Recommendations
Rotavirus	No Updated May 2010
Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis (DTaP and Tdap)	See note 2 Updated Sep 2013	No change in Routine Recommendations
Td	No
Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)	No See note 1	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 2009
Influenza	No	See current information about influenza
Varicella/Zoster	No
Hepatitis A	No
Conjugated Meningococcal (MCV4)	No
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)	No

Note1: Merck has decided to discontinue production of COMVAX® (Hib-Hep B) vaccine, and has ample supply of PedvaxHIB® and RECOMBIVAX HB® to meet the historical demand for these products as well as COMVAX®. The vaccine can still be purchased directly from Merck, as well as through wholesalers and physician distributors, until all supplies have been depleted. COMVAX will not be available for purchase directly from Merck after December 31, 2014. NEW JUL 2014

Note2: Sanofi Pasteur has lifted allocations for Pentacel and Daptacel vaccines, as well as for Adacel syringes. VFC and provider providers are now able to order these vaccines as needed. Sanofi anticipates ordering limitations for Adacel vials will be lifted by mid-August. GSK continues to have sufficient supply of Pediarix, Boostrix, Infanrix, and Kinrix to cover the anticipated demand levels of its pertussis-containing vaccines, although presentation preference may be impacted on occasion. UPDATED JUL 2014

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 Jan 2010

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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.

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