Vaccines and Physician Behavior

Immediate and longer term impact of the varicella shortage on children 18 and 24 months of age in a community population

“…However, the recent extended period of varicella vaccine shortage resulted in temporary modifications of the recommended age for vaccine administration and easing of some requirements for vaccine administration prior to school and day care program entrance[ 6 ]. It is not known if this "relaxing" of varicella vaccine requirements will affect clinician's or parent's future acceptance of varicella immunizations or alter the strength of their belief in the benefit of this vaccine[ 1 , 2 , 4 , 7 , 8 ].…”

“…To bolster efforts to provide catch-up immunizations, recommendations for developing recall and reminder programs were distributed through the MMWR and professional medical societies such as the American Academy of Family Physicians[ 9 ] and the American Academy of Pediatrics[ 10 ]. The shortage of vaccine may also have a longer term impact on decreasing future vaccine acceptance and usage, especially for a vaccine such as varicella that was still in the adoption phase by many parents and clinicians at the time of the shortage[ 1 , 2 , 7 , 11 - 17 ].…”