Supply

Updated 3/20   

See below for general resources related to vaccine supply. In the case of disrupted supply, the following resources can keep you informed, and provide information to help keep your patients up to date.

• CDC describes how state immunization programs distribute Vaccine for Children (VFC) Program vaccine on its VFC Program Distribution of Pediatric Vaccines page. 

• Learn more about managing vaccine supply on the AAP Vaccine Storage and Handling page.

• Check out the latest 2019-2020 Influenza Vaccine Supply Update page.

• The Influenza Summit has provided information on how influenza vaccine can be ordered and from whom on its Influenza Vaccine Products page.

• The latest information on current national vaccine supply shortages is available on the CDC Vaccine Shortages & Delays page.

• The American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (ASHP) releases bulletins on current drug shortages on its Drug Shortages List page.

Current Pediatric Vaccine Shortage

Supply Shortage for Live-attenuated Influenza Vaccine

The supply of nasal spray flu vaccine will be limited during the 2019-'20 season due to manufacturing constraints, according to AstraZeneca. The reduced supply of FluMist Quadrivalent, a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), will impact both the public and private sectors, according to a company spokesperson. AstraZeneca plans to spread distribution throughout the season and said the reduced supply will not impact vaccine quality. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials said the LAIV shortage is not expected to cause an overall shortage of flu vaccine.

Health care providers may need to check with multiple suppliers or purchase a different brand of vaccine. Those replacing LAIV also will need to consider factors like the ages of their patients and the setting for vaccine administration.

There is no change in the recommendations for influenza vaccine administration. In March, the AAP announced it will not have a preference between LAIV and inactivated influenza vaccine next season. The move is a change from the current season in which the AAP considered inactivated influenza vaccine the primary choice, while saying LAIV could be used for children who would not otherwise receive a vaccine.

AAP announces the limited supply of nasal spray flu vaccine to members via AAP News, Nasal spray flu vaccine supply will be limited next season.

Hepatitis B

The shortage of Pediatric hepatitis B vaccine Recombivax HB is ending March 9, 2020 according to an announcement from the CDC at the February 2020 meeting of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The return to market applies to the following package sizes for the pediatric/adolescent formulation: ten (10) 5 mcg/0.5 mL single-dose pre-filled Luer-Lok® syringes with tip caps and 5mcg/0.5mL - 10 single-dose 0.5mL vials. The vaccine supply is projected to be sufficient to meet historical demand in the private and public sectors. 

AAP previously announced the hepatitis B shortage extension to members via AAP News, Merck HepB vaccine shortage extended; GSK has supply.

AAP also previously announced further extension of the hepatitis B vaccine shortage to AAP members via AAP News, Merck HepB vaccine shortage extended through mid-2020.