Influenza Vaccine Update: December 2015

Pentacel Vaccine Shortage
There are supply issues with Sanofi-Pasteur’s Pentacel (DTaP/IPV/Hib) vaccine. Each month, DOH expects to receive about 70% of the normal supply of Pentacel. The shortage is expected to last for the next 6 months. We hope the information below will help providers meet patient needs for DTaP, IPV and Hib vaccination during the shortage.
Key Messages:

• Follow the recommended immunization schedule and ensure that patients receive all recommended doses of DTaP, Hib, and polio vaccines.
• Order enough single component vaccine (DTaP, IPV, Hib vaccines) and other combination vaccines (Pediarix – DTaP/IPV/HepB vaccine or Kinrix – DTaP/IPV vaccine) to meet patient vaccination needs.
• Monitor your inventory closely to assure you have enough single component, and alternate combination vaccines to meet patient needs, without over-ordering.

For information about the shortage click here.

Childhood Flu Vaccine
DOH recently received over 53,000 doses of FluMist and it is available for ordering. There is limited availability of multidose vial flu vaccine due to the FluMist delays earlier this season.
For the remainder of the season:

• FluMist is the primary flu vaccine product available for children 3 years of age and older. Providers should use FluMist whenever possible to meet the flu vaccination needs of their pediatric patients.
• Providers should use pediatric Fluzone (.25mL preservative free) for children less than 3 years of age.

Flu disease typically peaks in Washington in the January to March time frame. Please keep vaccinating throughout the season. For more information about flu disease, including a weekly flu surveillance update click here.