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Pediatric 5-in-1 vaccine in short supply
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Some local neighborhood health centers have said that pediatric 5-in-1 combination vaccine was in short supply, which is affecting children in the city.
The 5-in-1 combination vaccine immunizes against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenza Type B.
It is an imported vaccine, which has four doses. It costs around 600 yuan (US$98.95) each. Parents can choose between free domestic vaccines.
The first three shots are given when a child is 2, 3 and 4 months old. The last one is given between 18 and 24 months old.
French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi is the only approved producer for the 5-in-1 combination vaccine in China’s mainland.
It said its supplies to Shanghai was stable and the temporary shortage in hospitals may be caused by the distribution problems.
But insiders said the shortages may be due to transportation delays because of the Spring Festival. Officials said the supply will be return to normal around May.
Introduced on the mainland in 2011, the vaccine is popular among local parents, who are willing to pay extra money for their children. Compared to normal free vaccines, the 5-in-1 vaccines reduces the number of shots from 12 to four. Reduced injections means higher efficiency, less chance of adverse reaction and less pain.
Sanofi said the vaccine was marketed in 1997 and has been distributed in over 100 countries. Over 20 countries and regions have included the vaccine into their national immunization programs.
The Hongmei neighborhood health center said it has enough first shots, but the follow-up injections are not available.
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