State says 3 vaccines in short supply

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The state health department expressed concerns Monday that children are being turned away at doctor's offices because of a shortage of some vaccines in Missouri.

The vaccine shortage is occurring nationally, too.

"As a result, many of Missouri's children may not get the immunizations they need to protect them from dangerous diseases," said Vic Tomlinson, chief of a vaccine section at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Three vaccines are especially difficult to obtain in Missouri:

The varicella vaccine, which protects against chickenpox.

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which protects young children against some kinds of pneumonia and other severe infections.

The tetanus-diphtheria vaccine, for which routine doses have been deferred for more than a year.

"The real concern we have is that children who are turned away won't come back or won't be reached when vaccine supplies are available," said Dr. Walter Orenstein, director of the National Immunization Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We are quite worried we might see the return of some outbreaks."

Tomlinson said parents should stay in touch with providers to know when the vaccines become available.