Vaccine shortage prompts states to curtail immunizations.

2002 OCT 16 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Congressional auditors have found that more than half of America's immunization programs are rationing one or more childhood vaccines because of shortages, but government officials say supplies are returning to normal.

"Shortages have prompted federal authorities to recommend deferring some vaccinations and have caused the majority of states to reduce or suspend immunization requirements for school and day care programs," said Janet Heinrich, director of health care for the General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress, which wrote the report.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that supplies have returned to normal for most vaccines. Still, the shortage of vaccine that protects against germs that cause a type of pneumonia, meningitis and ear infections is expected to continue until at least the end of the year, Heinrich said.

Lawmakers examined the report at a September 17, 2002, hearing of a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions subcommittee.

"I am particularly concerned that the recent vaccine disruptions will inevitably have a negative impact on vaccine coverage rates in this country," said Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.). "We are clearly at a point where swift action must be taken to preserve and strengthen our immunization system.

"We simply cannot allow decades of tremendous progress in reducing vaccine-preventable diseases to become undone," Reed said.

The CDC ...