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Vaccine Stockpile
About Vaccine Stockpile
The US maintains vaccine stockpiles for emergencies. The Strategic National Stockpile SNS holds smallpox and anthrax vaccines along with antitoxins, antibiotics, and other countermeasures. The stockpile was expanded after the 2001 anthrax attacks. During the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, the stockpile was insufficient, leading to emergency production. The 2020 COVID response relied on Operation Warp Speed rather than stockpile. The pediatric vaccine stockpile, established in 1983, maintains a 6 month supply of routine childhood vaccines to prevent shortages. The stockpile has been activated during manufacturing disruptions, recalls, and demand spikes. The CDC manages the stockpile through contracts with manufacturers. Maintaining stockpiles is challenging because vaccines have limited shelf life. Rotating stock through normal supply chains minimizes wastage. The COVID pandemic motivated discussion of stockpiling mRNA vaccine raw materials including lipid nanoparticles for rapid response.
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