Travellers' vaccine Twinrix unavailable in Nova Scotia

Apopular vaccine commonly used by travellers for protection againsthepatitis A and hepatitis B isn't available in most pharmacies in Nova Scotia right now.

GlaxoSmithKline, which manufactures Twinrix, hasn't been able to supply the vaccine since Sept. 14.

"That's the date when the manufacturer was no longer able to ship. However, some pharmacies may have had inventory after that time [depending]how much they had in stock, but right now when they place their order, they are unable to get any more," said Lisa Woodill of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nova Scotia.

GlaxoSmithKline attributes "a disruption in the manufacturing process" for the shortage.

"That could mean anything, from not able to source one of the ingredients that's required, to something to do with the equipment we don't know any further details," Woodill said.

In an email toCBCNews, the company did not pinpoint the cause of the disruption, only saying "Twinrixis in short supply due to a suspension from the vaccine manufacturing site.

"In the meantime,GSKis committed to addressing requests for medical needs.GSKis working diligently to minimize any supply impact to patients and to return to normal supply volumes as soon as possible."

Hepatitis A is an extremely contagious liver diseasespread through direct contact with an infected personor by eating contaminated food or water.Hepatitis B is a liver infectioncommonly spread throughcontact with blood,open soresor body fluids of someone who has thevirus.

There's been no word from GlaxoSmithKline on when Twinrix will be available again.

It has posted some information aboutthe shortage toa website calledDrug Shortages Canada.Health Canada requires pharmaceutical companies to use the website for public notifications ofanticipated and actual drug shortages, as well asdiscontinuations.

Few options

"It is a real challenge. There is no other vaccine," saidWoodill, a pharmacist who also serves a Halifax-area travel clinic.

The only other options would be to change your trip to another area where the risk of contracting hepatitis A or B isn't as much of a consideration, or take strict food and water precautions if you decide to travel without the vaccination, she said.

She said there has been a general shortage of vaccines for both hepatitis A and hepatitis B this fall, outside of the Twinrix supply disruption.

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