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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) today
jointly recommended that health care providers temporarily suspend routine use
of fourth dose of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7). The recommendation
was made to conserve vaccine and minimize the likelihood of shortages caused by
production and supply problems at Wyeth Vaccines, the only supplier of the
vaccine in the United States. The recommendation calls for the temporary suspension of the fourth dose of PCV7, a booster dose given at 12 to 15 months of age. Healthcare providers should move to a three-dose series of one dose at two months, one dose at four months, and one dose at six months. Providers should continue to administer the fourth dose to children at increased risk of severe disease. Children whose booster dose is deferred should receive PCV7 on their first visit after supplies return to normal. This recommendation is not expected to have any adverse health consequences for children. CDC estimates this action will help conserve more than 1 million doses by July 2004, making widespread or prolonged disruptions less likely. The attachments provide more information regarding the recommendation. ["IAC EXPRESS" editor's note: The following URLs will take you to the attachments.] NIP's Q&A series "PCV7 (Prevnar) Shortages and Suspension of the Recommendation for the Fourth Dose": http://www.cdc.gov/nip/news/shortages/pcv7-shortage-faqs2-04.htm
CDC press release "Health Groups Recommend
Temporary Suspension of Pediatric Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Dose": |