Delaware Division Of Public Health Re-Issues Declarations Of Shortage For Mercury-Free Vaccines

Main Category: Immune System / Vaccines
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 06 Nov 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) today re-issued declarations of shortage for three vaccines that do not contain thimerosal as a preservative. The declarations are effective for 12 months from the date of signature. Jaime H. Rivera, MD, DPH director, signed the three declarations pursuant to House Bill 108, which the Delaware General Assembly passed in 2005 and amended in June 2007. This law stipulates that a shortage cannot be declared until all sources for mercury-free vaccines are exhausted.

Today's declarations allow health care providers to administer three vaccines which contain thimerosal to pregnant women and children younger than 8 years old when medically indicated. The re-issued declarations cover the following vaccines:

- Tetanus/diphtheria (Td) vaccine is available only in a thimerosal-containing preparation. The vaccine is administered to children age 7 years and older.

- Diphtheria/tetanus (DT) vaccine is available only in a thimerosal-containing preparation. The vaccine is used to protect children younger than 7 years of age who cannot receive the thimerosal free diphtheria /tetanus /pertussis (DTaP) vaccine because they are intolerant to the pertussis component.

- Japanese encephalitis vaccine is available only in a thimerosal containing preparation. The vaccine is recommended for adults and children traveling to areas where Japanese encephalitis virus infection is common.

For more information, please contact DPH's Immunization Program at 1-800-282-8672 or 302-744-1060, or visit DPH's website http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dph/dpc/immunize.html

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

Delaware Health and Social Services

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