Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Shortage Resolved

In February 2000, Prevnar™, a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine manufactured by Wyeth Lederle Vaccines (Pearl River, New York), was licensed for use among infants and young children. Beginning in August 2001, the supply of Prevnar™ failed to meet demand, resulting in shortages for health-care providers and health departments. To conserve the limited supply and ensure protection of children at highest risk, CDC published interim recommendations for vaccination that called for withholding vaccine from healthy children aged >2 years and deferring some doses for healthy children aged <2 years (1,2). Despite the shortage, introduction of the vaccine has been associated with a 69% decline in invasive disease among children aged <2 years through 2001 (78% for vaccine serotypes and 50% for vaccine-related serotypes)