The shortage of hepatitis B vaccines has led the High Council of Public Health to reserve it for hospitals and certain patients.
It was announced a few months ago; the situation is confirmed today. France is facing “supply tensions” for hepatitis B vaccine intended for adults. These difficulties have led to a shortage of vaccines, which must now be reserved for hospitals and “priority populations”.
The two vaccines affected by the shortage are ENGERIX B 20 (Glaxosmithkline Laboratory) and HBVAXPRO 10 (MSD Vaccines), which are no longer available in town. Seized to assess the situation, the Directorate General of Health indicated that these vaccines would be reserved for health establishments and priority non-hospitalized patients, on prescription.
Priority list
The High Council for Public Health (HCSP) has published a new opinion on its site, listing the “priority populations”. These include professionals subject to compulsory vaccination (in particular healthcare professionals), patients awaiting transplants or even dialysis patients. Priority adults are invited to contact their doctor to obtain a prescription.
The HCSP recommends to vaccinate health professionals already vaccinated according to the results of the serologies and to carry out the third dose of vaccine after the period of shortage. Given the circumstances, only two doses are thus indicated for immunization.
Import vaccines?
The shortage does not concern vaccines for children. However, as the Medicines Agency reminds us, pediatric vaccines should not be used on adults. In a press release, the ANSM indicates that it is studying the possibility of importing vaccines intended for other European markets.
A few days ago, the National Federation for Kidney Insufficiency (Fnair) was alarmed about this shortage of vaccines, indicating that it had written to the Minister of Health Marisol Touraine for more information on this “unprecedented situation. »And over its duration.
.
