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Vaccine manufacturers expect fewer supply shortages in 2010

Although some vaccine manufacturers are still experiencing issues meeting product demand, many have caught up with back orders and do not expect many shortages in the next year, Jeanne Santoli, MD, MPH, of the CDC and National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices this week.

Merck received FDA approval for distribution of a monovalent Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine on Jan. 14, and this product became available for order last week, Santoli said. Monovalent Hib vaccines are also still available from GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi-Pasteur.

Santoli also said supplies for monovalent hepatitis B vaccine (HepB), including Merck’s Recombivax HB and GlaxoSmithKline’s Engerix-B vaccines, have been restored after borrowing stockpile doses in 2009. However, Merck’s adult formulation will not be available for the first half of 2010, and its dialysis formulation is not expected to return until the last third of the year.

Santoli said after filling back orders late last fall, GlaxoSmithKline now has full supply and expects to have one continuously available monovalent product and adequate amounts of combination hepatitis A vaccine (HepA) and HepB vaccines for the rest of the year.

In late 2009, GlaxoSmithKline experienced outages of pediatric HepA vaccine (Havrix), but GlaxoSmithKline officials said they have currently made up for the demand. Merck has followed suit, according to Santoli, with an increased supply of its HepA vaccine (Vaqta) available for the remainder of 2010. Additionally, Merck’s adult HepA vaccine will not be distributed in 2010, but GlaxoSmithKline appears to have adequate supply to cover demand for the product.

After having intermittent shortages of rotavirus vaccine in December, GlaxoSmithKline expects to have a sufficient supply of product, along with a few back orders for 2010, Santoli said.

Merck recently delayed the re-launch of its measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine (ProQuad) set for mid-February because of an unexpected low yield, according to Santoli.

Zoster vaccine is also currently available to order, but its supply is based on bulk yield.

Although the vaccine manufacturers said they are in better position than last year, customers will likely continue to experience occasional back orders throughout 2010. – by Melissa Foster

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