On December 12, 2007 Merck & Co announced a voluntary recall of certain lots of PedvaxHIB vaccine and COMVAX vaccine due to potential bacterial contamination.  It is important to note that the contamination occurred in a machine component at one of the manufacturing facilities.  All vials produced with this equipment since April, 2007 have been recalled.  There have been NO reports of contaminated vials and NO adverse events reported from the affected lot numbers.

PedvaxHIB vaccine is one of the vaccines used at Chapel Hill Pediatrics and Adolescents, and is typically given at the 2 month, 4 month, 6 month and 12-15 month visits.  COMVAX is not used at CHPA.  Of the 10 lots numbers affected, 2 have been in use at CHPA since October, 2007.  

If your child received one of the affected lot numbers, you should look for signs of skin infection (redness, swelling, pain) at the site of injection (outer thighs).  These signs should be apparent within ONE WEEK of the injection, and if you see any signs of infection, you should bring your child into the office for evaluation.  The risk of this is VERY LOW.

Children who received affected vaccine DO NOT need to be re-vaccinated.  The vaccine they received is fully effective.  

We now have ActHib vaccine available at CHPA and are vaccinating children according to the CDC adjusted guidelines.

Hib Update

updated 3-3-08