Merck Temporarily Halts Hepatitis A Vaccine Orders

The latest news on available supplies of pediatric and adult formulations of hepatitis A vaccine, inactivated, is mixed. Of the two manufacturers that produce this vaccine for the U.S. market, one reports that it has temporarily ceased taking orders for vials of the vaccine, and the other states that its current production and supply levels are in good shape to handle demand for the product.

That's according to a Sept. 28 update posted on the CDC's Current Vaccine Shortages & Immunizations Web page, which further notes that no changes in current recommendations for administration of hepatitis A vaccine are indicated at this time.

Merck announced in early August that the company was experiencing production delays for its pediatric and adult hepatitis A vaccines, marketed under the brand name VAQTA, resulting in backorders for these products. The company later sent letters to its customers, apologizing for "recent vaccine supply interruptions" and providing updates on the status of these and other vaccine products.

According to the latest update, Merck officials estimate that VAQTA will become available again late in the first quarter of 2008, adding that further information about the vaccine's projected availability will be shared "when more is known."

Meanwhile, the other manufacturer of hepatitis A vaccine for the United States, GlaxoSmithKline, contends that its pediatric and adult formulations of hepatitis A vaccine, sold as Havrix, as well as its adult hepatitis A/hepatitis B combination vaccine, sold as Twinrix, "are currently in good supply to meet demand." The company had earlier noted that it planned to boost production of Havrix and Twinrix to help avoid any potential supply interruptions.