Temporary shortage of DPTP-Hib

A temporary shortage of DPTP-Hib vaccine has resulted in deferred booster shots and reallocated supplies.

During routine pre-market testing in July, Health Canada uncovered a problem with a batch of Pentacel, a vaccine produced by Aventis Pasteur that protects against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio (DPTP) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Children between 2 months and 18 months receive 4 Pentacel shots, followed by a booster (Quadracel) between ages 4 and 6.

Health Canada discovered 1 lot of inactivated polio vaccine that was not of the potency required, said Dr. Arlene King, director of Immunization and Respiratory Infection. The vaccine was not distributed. Aventis expects to have a new supply ready by early November.

Meanwhile, Health Canada is working with jurisdictions to manage the shortage by reallocating supply, deferring booster shots, and, if necessary, purchasing other approved products not currently in supply in Canada.

As of Sept. 15, some central supplies of Pentacel remained at Aventis, said King. Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, and some Ontario communities planned to delay booster shots to ensure enough supply for infant inoculations.

When the existing stock of Pentacel vaccine is used, Quadracel plus Hib can be used in combination.

“Our primary national strategy has been that nowhere in the country do we want to jeopardize infant immunization, because the primary series in the first 6 months is critical,” King told CMAJ. — Pauline Comeau, Ottawa