The initial goal of the national
vaccine stockpile program was to establish a 6-month supply of all recommended childhood
vaccines, to meet national demands if a manufacturing process was interrupted. When the first
vaccine stockpiles were created in 1983, the childhood immunization schedule was much less complicated than it is today, and the first stockpiles included only
measles-
mumps-
rubella, poliovirus, and
pertussis vaccines, as well as
diphtheria and
tetanus toxoids. However, today's
vaccine needs are much greater, and current stockpiles do not include all recommended childhood
vaccines, partially because inclusion of
vaccines that are universally recommended, fully implemented, and produced by a single manufacturer has been made a priority. Future planning must also consider substantially higher
vaccine costs, the development of new
combination vaccines, a wide range of production times, and changes in immunization recommendations. Expansion and strengthening of the national
vaccine stockpile program are critical to protect against future disruptions in
vaccine supply.