title: Strengthening the supply of routinely recommended vaccines in the United States: recommendations from the National Vaccine Advisory Committee.
abstract: Between late 2000 and the spring of 2003, the United States experienced shortages of vaccines against 8 of 11 preventable diseases in children. In response, the Department of Health and Human Services requested that the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) make recommendations on strengthening the supply of routinely recommended vaccines. The NVAC appointed a Working Group to identify potential causes of vaccine supply shortages, develop strategies to alleviate or prevent shortages, and enlist stakeholders to consider the applicability and feasibility of these strategies. The NVAC concluded that supply disruptions are likely to continue to occur. Strategies to be implemented in the immediate future include expansion of vaccine stockpiles, increased support for regulatory agencies, maintenance and strengthening of liability protections, improved communication among stakeholders, increased availability of public information, and a campaign to emphasize the benefits of vaccination. Strategies requiring further study include evaluation of appropriate financial incentives to manufacturers and streamlining the regulatory process without compromising safety or efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Jeanne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Santoli
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.forename: Ann Margaret
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Arvin
authors.forename: Jeffrey P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Decker
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fast
authors.forename: Fernando A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Helms
authors.forename: Alan Richard
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hinman
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Jerome O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Mary Beth
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Koslap-Petraco
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Paradiso
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schaffner
authors.forename: Patricia N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Whitley-Williams
authors.forename: Donald E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gellin
mesh_terms: D004345:Drug Industry / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D035082:Federal Government; D014481:United States; D014611:Vaccination / Q000592:standards; D014612:Vaccines / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution*
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines