Greenville, SC (Greenville News) - An “unprecedented” demand for the shingles vaccine has left some providers short of supply as the manufacturer scrambles to produce and ship more.
The shortage is affecting pharmacies nationwide, said Dr. Ryan Cann, a pharmacist with Bon Secours St. Francis Health System.
"As the vaccine becomes available, the manufacturer tries to allocate it out so that everyone gets their fair share, but that can make it difficult for patients," he said.
"The problem is all pharmacies are in the same boat," he added. "We’re getting it sporadically, and it’s gone as soon as we get it."
Shingles is a painful condition caused by the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus stays inactive but can reactivate years later, causing shingles.
The CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine, the second between 2 to 6 months after the first.
And that can be a challenge, Cann said.
"This supply issue has gone on long enough that it may interfere with that second shot," he said. "I’m encouraging patients to call around, and if need be, we can transfer their prescription to another pharmacy to be filled."
CVS Pharmacy and its MinuteClinics have been offering the Shingrix vaccine to patients since the spring, spokeswoman Amy Lanctot said.
"Due to high demand ... it has become challenging to keep an ample supply across all of our more than 9,800 stores and more than 1,100 clinics due to supply restrictions from the manufacturer," she said.
"We are still getting shipments intermittently," she added. "Patients are again encouraged to call their local store or clinic in advance to find out if they have the Shingrix vaccine in stock."
Walgreens is also advising customers to contact their local pharmacy to verify availability of Shingrix, a spokeswoman said.
“GSK has responded to this demand by significantly increasing and accelerating shipments of Shingrix this year,” he said.
Clements said the company is shipping vaccine every two to three weeks and plans to continue doing so for the rest of the year.
“We have implemented a fair and equitable allocation plan across all customer segments, to help ensure people have the opportunity to complete the two-dose series,” Clements said. “We are also working closely with wholesalers and distributors to share these allocation goals, as the majority of the vaccine is distributed through them.”
The CDC said that if it’s been more than six months since the first dose, the second should be given as soon as possible, rather than starting all over again.
Patients can go to Shingrix.com to find providers or pharmacies that have been offering the vaccine, but should call first to make sure they have it or get on a waiting list, Clements said
