Health
Merck recalls some Hib vaccine
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 7, 2008
Merck & Co. Inc. is recalling about a million doses of its Haemophilus influenzae type B, or Hib, vaccine. Although no problem with the vaccine has surfaced, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Merck found that the potential for contamination existed at one of its plants.
The company announced Dec. 12, 2007, that it is recalling 11 lots of PEDVAXHIB and two lots of its combination COMVAX product. The affected lots were distributed starting in April 2007.
The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration are working with Merck to notify physicians and other health care professionals affected by the recall.
About 14 million doses of the vaccine are used annually to inoculate babies and toddlers in the nation. Sanofi Pasteur also manufactures a Hib vaccine and is expected to increase production while Merck resolves its problem, which could take nearly a year. Until then, there are likely to be shortages of the vaccine.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/01/07/hlbf0107.htm.
