Why Is Tenivac So Hard to Find? [Explained for 2026]

If you or your doctor have tried to fill a Tenivac prescription recently and come up empty-handed, you are not alone. The tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccine has been in short supply since early 2024, and patients across the country are struggling to find it. Here is what is actually happening — and what you can do about it.

What Is Tenivac and Why Do People Need It?

Tenivac is a brand-name Td (tetanus and diphtheria) vaccine made by Sanofi Pasteur. It is given as a 0.5 mL intramuscular injection and is approved for anyone 7 years of age and older. The vaccine protects against two serious bacterial diseases: tetanus (also called lockjaw) and diphtheria.

Most adults need a Tenivac booster every 10 years to stay protected. It is also used in wound management — for example, after a deep cut, burn, or puncture wound — to prevent tetanus infection. For patients who cannot receive the pertussis component found in Tdap vaccines, Tenivac is often the only appropriate option.

What Caused the Tenivac Shortage?

The root cause is straightforward: the other manufacturer of Td vaccine in the United States stopped making it. Until early 2024, there were two Td vaccines available: Tenivac (by Sanofi Pasteur) and TdVax (made by nonprofit MassBiologics and distributed by Grifols USA). In early 2024, MassBiologics announced it was discontinuing TdVax production entirely.

Once TdVax supplies ran out — which happened as early as June 2024 — Tenivac became the sole Td vaccine left on the US market. Sanofi worked to increase production, but a single supplier simply cannot fill the demand that was previously shared by two manufacturers fast enough to prevent shortfalls.

How Did the CDC Respond to the Shortage?

The CDC took several steps to manage the shortage. First, it imposed temporary ordering limits in both the public and private sectors to prevent any single provider from stockpiling doses. Second, the CDC issued guidance recommending that healthcare providers switch from Tenivac (Td) to a Tdap vaccine — either Adacel (by Sanofi) or Boostrix (by GSK) — whenever possible.

The CDC's reasoning: Tdap vaccines cover tetanus, diphtheria, AND pertussis (whooping cough). They are widely available without supply constraints. For most patients, Tdap is an acceptable substitute. The agency reserved the limited supply of Tenivac for patients who have a specific contraindication to the pertussis component — primarily those who had encephalopathy within 7 days of a prior pertussis-containing vaccine.

Is the Tenivac Shortage Still Happening in 2026?

Supply of Tenivac has improved compared to the acute crisis of mid-2024, but availability can still vary widely by region and pharmacy. Because Sanofi is now the only Td vaccine manufacturer in the US, any disruption to their supply chain — manufacturing issues, increased demand, or distribution backlogs — can create local shortfalls quickly.

Patients who specifically need a Td vaccine (not a Tdap) — such as those who cannot receive pertussis-containing vaccines — may still find that their local pharmacy is out of stock. This is especially common in rural areas and at smaller independent pharmacies with limited cold-chain storage.

Why Can't You Just Call Around to Pharmacies?

Many patients try calling pharmacies to ask if they have Tenivac in stock. This is time-consuming, frustrating, and often unhelpful. Pharmacy staff are frequently too busy to give accurate stock updates over the phone, and vaccine inventory can change daily. A dose that was there in the morning may be gone by afternoon.

That is where medfinder comes in. medfinder calls pharmacies near you on your behalf to find out which ones can fill your Tenivac prescription right now. You provide your medication and location, medfinder does the calling, and you get the results texted to you — no hold music, no frustrating back-and-forth.

What Are My Options If I Cannot Find Tenivac?

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about these alternatives:

Adacel (Tdap): Widely available, covers tetanus + diphtheria + pertussis. Approved for ages 10 and older. CDC's recommended alternative during the shortage.

Boostrix (Tdap): Another Tdap option by GSK. Also widely available, approved for ages 10 and older. Preferred in pregnancy.

Different pharmacy or clinic: Hospital-based clinics, travel medicine clinics, and employee health departments sometimes have separate vaccine supply that is not available at retail pharmacies.

If you have a medical reason to specifically avoid Tdap and need Tenivac, document this clearly with your provider. You may qualify for priority access to the limited Tenivac supply.

Key Takeaways

Tenivac shortages started in 2024 after MassBiologics discontinued TdVax, making Sanofi's Tenivac the only Td vaccine in the US.

The CDC imposed ordering limits and recommended Tdap (Adacel or Boostrix) as an alternative for most patients.

Patients who truly need Td-only (not Tdap) should work with their provider and use medfinder to locate available stock nearby.

For step-by-step tips on finding Tenivac at pharmacies near you, read our guide: How to Find Tenivac In Stock Near You