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.
Current Pediatric Vaccine Shortage
Influenza
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
Pediatric hepatitis B vaccine Recombivax HB will be in short supply through the middle of Quarter Two of 2019. In a letter to providers in 2017, Merck said demand around the world and manufacturing process updates caused the shortage of Recombivax HB in both pediatric and adult formulations. This shortage impacts 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. More information can be found on the Merck Supply Status page.
There is no change in the recommendations for hepatitis B vaccine administration – 3 dose series (birth, 1-2 months of age and 6-18 months of age). During this shortage, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends prioritizing the birth dose and completion of the infant series over child and adolescent catch-up vaccination unless those patients are at risk for infection. For more information about hepatitis B and current hepatitis B vaccination recommendations, see the AAP Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Policy page.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has an adequate supply of hepatitis B vaccine to make up for the shortage, according to the CDC. GSK produces single-component Engerix-B and the combination vaccine Pediarix. For more information regarding ordering supply from GSK, visit the GSK Direct Website or reference the GSK Direct Customer Resource Guide.
CDC clinical guidance during this supply shortage is available at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/clinical-resources/shortages.html.
AAP announces the hepatitis B shortage extension to members via AAP News, Merck HepB vaccine shortage extended; GSK has supply .