Merck Hib Vaccine Recalled

Sunday, 04 May 2008 15:40

On December 13, 2007 Merck & Co., Inc. announced a voluntary recall of certain lots of two Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines, PedvaxHIB® (monovalent Hib vaccine) and COMVAX® (Hib/hepatitis B vaccine).

Merck has suspended production of its Hib conjugate vaccines and does not expect to resume distribution of these vaccines until the fourth quarter of 2008.

Two other Hib conjugate vaccines manufactured by sanofi pasteur and currently licensed and available for use in the United States, ActHIB® (monovalent Hib vaccine) and TriHIBit® (diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis [DTaP]/Hib vaccine), are unaffected by the recall. However, sanofi pasteur likely will not be able to immediately provide adequate Hib vaccine to vaccinate fully all children for whom the vaccine is recommended. The recommended vaccination schedule for all available Hib-containing vaccines consists of a primary series (consisting of 2 or 3 doses, depending on the formulation) administered beginning at age 2 months and a booster dose at age 12–15 months. Because of the short-term reduction in available doses of Hib-containing vaccines, CDC recommends that providers temporarily defer administering the routine Hib vaccine booster dose given at age 12–15 months except for children in specific groups at higher risk.

CDC is also asking providers to order only the number of doses of vaccine required to meet immediate needs (i.e., a supply for up to 4 weeks) and to refrain from attempting to build an inventory of Hib vaccine.

Editor's note:

Bay Area Pediatrics does not order Hib vaccine from Merck & Co, Inc. Therefore, none of our Hib vaccine was subject to this recall. However, there is currently a nationwide shortage of Hib vaccine due to this recall. We have modified our immunization schedule and will only be administering Hib vaccine to children less than one year of age. By nine months, most children will have received three out of four Hib vaccinations. All fourth doses will we held until the shortage is relieved. Families will be contacted for their child to receive the fourth Hib vaccination at that time.