Health

Hib vaccine supplies are cut

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 17, 2007

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A manufacturing problem has delayed the production of Merck & Co. Inc.'s Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine, PedvaxHIB, and the vaccine may be in short supply until early next year, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Until then, the CDC said it would provide some vaccine from its stockpile, and vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur said it is working to provide additional supplies of its Hib vaccine, ActHIB. Instructions for health care professionals who begin vaccinating infants and toddlers with the Merck vaccine but must continue with the Sanofi Pasteur vaccine are on the CDC Web site (link) vaccines/vacgen/shortages.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has not called for any changes in Hib immunization recommendations.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/12/17/hlbf1217.htm.

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