Dec 13, 2007 5:56 pm US/Central
Pediatricians Busy After Child Vaccine Recall
(WCCO)
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Kids under age five received the HIB vaccine to prevent meningitis and pneumonia.
CBS
Many pediatricians were a bit busier than normal with calls about on Thursday after Merck announced the recall of its HIB vaccine because of a sterilization problem. The suspect vaccines have only been given out since April of this year.
Kids under age five received the HIB vaccine to prevent meningitis and pneumonia.
As a result, production has been shut down for nine months, which could mean a shortage.
Six-month-old Isaiah was crying even before receiving his HIB shot. His mom is reassured his vaccine was not from the lot on the recall list.
"It's scary, but you know that it's the right thing to do. And that you'll be informed if something was wrong," said Bethany Yard.
Partners in Pediatrics has 500 doses of the vaccine that Merck may have contaminated.
"So that is the good HIB vaccine that has the good lot numbers. We've sent all the other back," said a nurse looking at a refrigerator filled with boxes of vaccine. Sending back the vaccine is a precaution.
"First of all, I don't think parents should worry about this vaccine," said Dr. Sue Mahle with Partners in Pediatrics.
"If they were to have a reaction, it would have been immediately within the first week. And there have been no reported vaccine reactions to this vaccine at all. Zero," said Mahle.
The vaccine recall may not be a concern but it will be an inconvenience because there may be shortages of the meningitis vaccine.
A French company also makes HIB vaccine, but it announced it's not sure it can fill in the gap for the lost supplies.
Mahle said they might delay HIB shots for older babies, if needed. For now, there's a safe surplus for several months.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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