Vaccine Shortages : Adult Immunizations

by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

(Page 3 of 3)

ACIP also is encouraging flu vaccination for healthy children ages 6 months to 23 months and for those who come into close contact with children up to 23 months because of the increased risk for influenza-related hospitalizations in this age group. A full recommendation for this age group is expected in the next few years.

Making sufficient supplies of flu vaccine is always a challenge because the predominant flu strains change every year. A drop in the number of flu vaccine manufacturers and the slow growth rate of certain strains of the influenza virus have created temporary shortages in the past.

The FDA works closely with companies to determine whether the supply will be adequate. Early last year, the FDA contacted the three influenza vaccine manufacturers — Aventis Pasteur, Evans Vaccines Ltd., and Wyeth — to discuss projections. Production problems limited the number of doses available early in the flu season, but as a result of the meetings, manufacturers produced the largest number of doses ever in a given year during 2001-2002 (about 87 million doses).

The latest manufacturer projections indicate that ample flu vaccine is expected for 2002-2003.

Adult Immunizations

Check with your health-care provider about whether you need the following vaccines:

Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids Combined (Td): Boosters should be given at 10-year intervals throughout life. The vaccine protects against tetanus, also known as lockjaw. The disease is caused by a germ that enters the body through a cut or wound. Tetanus causes serious, painful spasms of all muscles. It can lead to a locking of the jaw that prevents opening of the mouth or swallowing.

Diphtheria spreads when germs pass from an infected person to the nose and throat of others. Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat or airway and can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis and death.

Flu (Influenza) Vaccine: Given annually in the fall or early winter, the vaccine protects against the flu, a disease caused by a virus that spreads from infected people to the nose or throat of others. The flu can cause fever, sore throat, chills, cough, headache and muscle aches. The virus causes thousands of deaths each year, mostly among older people.

Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine: The vaccine protects against blood-borne pneumococcal disease, which can lead to serious infections of the lungs, the blood and the covering of the brain. Adults age 65 or older are among those who should get the vaccine.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine: Adults who need it include those born after 1956 without written documentation of having the vaccine on or after the first birthday. The vaccine protects against three viruses that spread from person to person through the air.

Measles virus causes a rash, cough, runny nose, and eye irritation, and can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and death. The mumps virus causes fever, headache and swollen glands, and can lead to deafness, meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord covering), painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries and, rarely, death. The rubella virus, commonly called German measles, causes a rash, mild fever and arthritis. If a woman gets rubella while pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects.

Chickenpox (Varicella) Vaccine: People of any age without a reliable history of having chickenpox or vaccination are among those who should be vaccinated. The vaccine protects against chickenpox, a common childhood disease that can lead to serious illness and death in adults. The virus can be spread from person to person through saliva droplets in the air or by contact with fluid from chickenpox blisters. The disease causes a rash, itching and fever, and can lead to skin infection, scars, pneumonia and brain damage.

Hepatitis B Vaccine (HBV): The vaccine protects against hepatitis B virus, which is spread through contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected person. Adults at risk for hepatitis B include those who have more than one sex partner in six months. Hepatitis B can cause loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, jaundice, and pain in the muscles, joints and stomach. It can cause chronic liver damage, liver cancer and death.

About the Author

www.fda.gov
FDA is A United States government body that oversees medical devices, including contact lenses, intraocular lenses, excimer lasers and eyedrops. In the US, these products must be approved by the FDA before they can be marketed.