Paediatric medicine supplies are running low with this severe sickness season.
On December 20, Kroger became the first major grocery chain to prohibit customers from purchasing the highly sought-after medicines. Purchases are likewise restricted at CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens.
Following a "reduced supply of child's pain killers and child's cold and influenza drugs," Kroger restricted transactions to two paediatric medicines and four cold and influenza items per customer.
Walgreens limits online drug therapy sales to six over-the-counter pediatric patients fever-reducing goods per transaction "to avoid
purchasing behaviour," CVS limits children's pain relief products purchased in-store and internet "to ensure fair access," and
Rite Aid limits purchases online of the four-ounce grape taste of Children's Tylenol to four items.
This season's "tripledemic" flu, COVID-19, and RSV outbreaks have resulted in purchasing restrictions in the United States.
Flu has caused 15 million illnesses, 150,000 hospitalization, and 9,300 deaths, including 30 infant deaths.
This month witnessed a 10-year high in flu-related hospitalisations, while early November showed a two-year spike in RSV infections, particularly among children.
"There is no widespread scarcity in the United States," the association claimed of the shortages of Children's Tylenol, Advil, and Motrin.