FDA: Tetanus and Diphtheria Vaccine Shortage Resolved

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its list of resolved CBER-regulated product shortages to alert the public that the Tenivac (Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids Adsorbed; Sanofi Pasteur) vaccine shortage has been resolved. The vaccine is indicated for active immunization for the prevention of tetanus and diphtheria in persons 7 years of age and older.

In response to the shortage, which began in November 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted guidelines for clinicians, recommending the use of the vaccine for: decennial tetanus-diphtheria boosters; primary tetanus-diphtheria series for adolescents and adults; and management of tetanus-prone wounds. As a back-up, the CDC stated that Tdap could be used if Td was unavailable.

The resumption of distribution of Tenivac comes at a good time, as the only other Td vaccine supplier, Grifols, has reported shipping delays and partial shipments though the first half of September due to high demand

Tenivac is supplied as 0.5mL per vial, single dose (10 per package) and 0.5mL per syringe (10 per package).

Reference

CBER-Regulated Products: Resolved Shortages [news release]. US Food and Drug Administration. Updated August 17, 2017. Accessed September 14, 2017.

This article originally appeared on MPR