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Notice to Readers: Decreased Availability of Pneumococcal
Conjugate Vaccine
In February 2000, Prevnar™, the new 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate
vaccine (PCV7) marketed by Wyeth Lederle Vaccines (Pearl River, New York) was licensed
for use among infants and young children. CDC recommends this vaccine for all
children aged <2 years and for children aged 2--5 years who are at increased risk for
pneumococcal disease (e.g., children with sickle cell disease or anatomic asplenia,
chronic illness, or who are immunosuppressed, including those with human
immunodeficiency virus infection) (1). In August 2001, deliveries of
PrevnarTM were delayed resulting in shortages for some health-care providers and health departments. Although
the manufacturer projects shipping sufficient vaccine to meet needs throughout
the remainder of 2001 and has sufficient manufacturing capacity to meet U.S.
demand, health-care providers may continue to experience temporary shortages as
supplies are replenished. In the meantime, CDC recommends that all providers defer
the vaccination of children aged >2 years except those aged 2--5 years who are
at increased risk for pneumococcal disease (see previous examples)
(1). Providers should give highest priority to vaccinating all infants aged <12 months and
children aged 1--5 years at increased risk. Catch-up vaccinations for healthy children aged
1--2 years and booster doses for healthy children who have completed the primary
series may be deferred. Records should be kept so that the deferred vaccinations can
be
given when vaccine becomes available.
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