How to Help Your Patients Find Tenivac In Stock: A Provider's Guide

Patients who need Tenivac — especially those with pertussis vaccine contraindications — often struggle to find it in stock and come back to their provider frustrated. This guide gives your practice a systematic approach to helping those patients efficiently, without putting the burden of the search on already-stretched clinical staff.

Step 1: Determine Whether the Patient Specifically Needs Tenivac

Before sending a patient on a search for Tenivac, confirm they genuinely require a Td-only vaccine. For the majority of patients, Adacel (Sanofi) or Boostrix (GSK) — both Tdap vaccines — are appropriate substitutes per CDC guidance. Tenivac is specifically required only for:

Patients with documented encephalopathy within 7 days of a prior pertussis vaccine

Patients ages 7–9 (Tdap is approved only from age 10)

Patients with another documented contraindication to pertussis-containing vaccines confirmed by chart review

Step 2: If Your Clinic Is Out of Tenivac, Provide a Referral Plan

When your practice does not have Tenivac in stock, do not simply tell the patient to "call around." A documented referral plan is more effective and reduces patient frustration:

Print or send the patient a written prescription for Tenivac specifically (not a generic "Td vaccine") so pharmacies know exactly what is needed.

Include documentation of the pertussis contraindication on the referral or prescription, as some pharmacies and clinics use this to prioritize access to limited Tenivac supply.

Direct the patient to medfinder to find nearby pharmacies with Tenivac available. medfinder calls pharmacies on the patient's behalf and texts them results.

Provide a backup list of local resources: county health department, travel clinics, urgent care centers, and hospital outpatient pharmacies often carry Tenivac.

Step 3: Sourcing Tenivac Directly for Your Practice

If your practice sees multiple patients requiring Tenivac, consider maintaining your own supply. Here is how:

Private sector ordering: Contact your vaccine distributor (McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, or Cardinal Health) to place an allocation order. Ask specifically about Tenivac availability and expected replenishment timelines.

VFC enrolled providers: Contact your state immunization program to check availability of Tenivac through the Vaccines for Children program. VFC-eligible children who need Tenivac can be prioritized.

Sanofi key account contacts: Large practices, health systems, and federally qualified health centers can request direct allocation support from Sanofi's institutional sales team.

Patient Communication Scripts

Here are two brief scripts your staff can use:

When patient can use Tdap:

"Good news — the Tdap vaccine (Adacel or Boostrix) is an approved alternative to Tenivac and is widely available at most pharmacies. It provides the same tetanus and diphtheria protection, plus protection against whooping cough. We'll send a prescription to your preferred pharmacy."

When patient requires Tenivac specifically:

"Because of your medical history, you specifically need the Tenivac vaccine, which is in limited supply. We're sending you a prescription that explains why Tenivac is required. We recommend using medfinder.com to find pharmacies near you that have it in stock — they'll make the calls for you and text you results."

Vaccine Storage and Cold-Chain Reminders

If you do acquire Tenivac for your practice, store vials and prefilled syringes between 36–46°F (2–8°C). Do not freeze. The tip caps on prefilled syringes contain natural rubber latex — note this for latex-sensitive patients (vial stoppers do not contain latex). Tenivac should not be mixed or reconstituted with any other vaccine.

How medfinder Helps Your Patients Find Tenivac

medfinder is a paid service that calls pharmacies near your patient to find which ones have their prescription in stock. For patients who cannot receive Tdap and need Tenivac specifically, medfinder can save hours of frustrating phone calls. Learn more about how medfinder works for providers at medfinder.com/providers.

For clinical details on the shortage and CDC substitution guidance, see: Tenivac Shortage: What Providers and Prescribers Need to Know