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Sanofi Pasteur MSD Limited is currently experiencing an ongoing delay in the manufacturing process of yellow fever vaccine (Stamaril). Interruption to the supply of Stamaril vaccine is expected to continue until January 2014.
Consultation with both the vaccine company and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) regarding a solution to the vaccine shortage is ongoing. Further information will be published as it becomes available.
Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and NaTHNaC have contacted all YFVCs under their administration to gauge current availabilty of yellow fever vaccine in the UK. A number of YFVCs report that their stock has been exhausted, others have limited or reasonable supplies still available. This means that some travellers will need to be referred to, or to seek out, alternate centres to receive vaccination, at least until the situation is resolved and vaccine becomes routinely available once again.
During this time it is important that we are diligent in the use of yellow fever vaccine. Careful risk assessment is key, taking into account the need for personal protection against yellow fever infection and the IHR certificate requirements, along with determining the benefit v's risk of vaccination in any particular individual.
Health care professionals advising travellers should be aware of the latest evidence from the WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization (SAGE). They conclude that a single dose of vaccination is sufficient to confer life long immunity against yellow fever virus infection, and that 10 yearly boosters are not routinely recommended.
TRAVAX has provided further clarification on the need for yellow fever vaccine boosters for travellers in light of the WHO advice.
All enquiries relating to yellow fever vaccine supply should be directed to:
Sanofi Pasteur MSD Limited - Customer Services Department: 0800 0855511
