To: All VFC Providers
Re: Meningococcal Vaccine Shortage
Current Meningococcal Vaccine Supply Status
Menactra (Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine-MCV4)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has limited the amount of Menactra available to states through Vaccines for Children (VFC) funding, and we are unable to order the vaccine directly from the manufacturer. Supplies of Menactra are expected to be limited throughout July 2006 and possibly longer.
To meet the upcoming meningococcal vaccination needs, the Rhode Island Department of Health has cancelled all future 9 th grade school based meningococcal vaccination clinics through the Vaccinate Before You Graduate (VBYG) Program. In addition, we are requesting that health care providers temporarily suspend routine vaccination of 11-12 year olds, catch-up vaccination of older adolescents, as well as vaccination of high school seniors and college freshman who will not be living in college dormitories. This will help to preserve available supplies for adolescents in the highest risk group of college bound freshman students who will be living in dormitories.
The Immunization Program will continue to work closely with the manufacturer. However, until this is resolved we will need to ensure a balanced inventory for providers using state-supplied vaccine. Vaccine will be allocated based on prior years distribution.
Menomune (Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine-MPSV)
Menomune is also in short supply and will be reserved only for children 2-10 years of age at increased risk of N. meningiditis infection (and for children 11-18 years of age when Menactra is not available):
- Children who travel to countries where N. meningiditis is hyperendemic or epidemic: www.cdc.gov/travel
- Children with terminal complement component deficiency
- Children with functional or anatomic asplenia
Contacts for questions about this update:
Mark Francesconi, 222- 5988, markf@doh.state.ri.us, for questions about vaccine ordering and supply.
Patricia Raymond, RN, 222-5921, patricia.raymond@health.ri.gov, for questions about vaccine recommendations. |
