Wyeth, one of the world's largest research-driven pharmaceutical companies, is informing its customers that the company is experiencing a temporary delay in the shipment of Prevnar, its pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

The current delay is attributed to changes in the company's quality assurance processes. The result of these changes will ensure that appropriate documentation is in order to assure that manufactured product conforms to all quality assurance tests. The company believes that shipments will resume shortly, and Wyeth does not expect this to result in a shortage of Prevnar in the marketplace. It is important to note that the vaccine meets all specifications and the changes will not impact the immunogenicity, safety profile, or effectiveness of Prevnar.

Prevnar is the only vaccine available to help prevent pneumococcal meningitis, pneumonia and bacteremia among infants and young children. Since its licensure by the FDA in February 2000, Prevnar has become an important vaccine for children's health recommended by ACIP and AAP, and covered by virtually every health insurance plan in the United States.