Recall of Hib vaccine

Some lots of Comvax and PedvaxHIB vaccine, including some used in our office, have been recalled by the manufacturer, Merck. The problem is that Merck cannot assure the sterility of these lots. No children have been reported to become ill from these vaccines.

This vaccine protects against infection from bacteria known as Haemophilus influenzae type b (abbreviated Hib – not the same as influenza or “flu”). It is given either on its own as PedvaxHIB or in combination with Hepatitis B vaccine as Comvax.  Doses are given at two and four months, with a booster in the second year of life.

Before the introduction of this vaccine, it was not unusual for children to come down with severe infections due to Hib: meningitis, epiglottitis (a life-threatening variety of croup), pneumonia, skin infections and blood-stream infections. The vaccine has been highly effective in preventing these dangerous illnesses.

We will continue to use confirmed safe lots of Merck Comvax and will also have available the Sanofi Hib vaccine (called ACTHib). We hope to continue to have adequate supplies of the vaccines available, but, because Merck anticipates their product will not be available again until September 2008, there may be shortages. The ACTHib vaccine requires a six-month-of-age dose in addition to those at two and four months.
You will probably want to discuss the Hib vaccine at your child’s two, four and six-month visits. More information is available at the website of the Centers for Disease Control.