On December 13, 2007, certain lots of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine marketed as PedvaxHIB (monovalent Hib vaccine) and Comvax (Hib-HepB vaccine), and manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc., were recalled voluntarily, and the company temporarily suspended production of these vaccines. To conserve the limited supply of Hib-containing vaccines, CDC, in consultation with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), on December 18, 2007, recommended that vaccination providers temporarily defer the routine Hib vaccine booster dose administered to most healthy children at age 12--15 months (1--5).
Production of Merck Hib vaccine products is still suspended. However, two other Hib-containing vaccines manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur have been available for use in the United States during this shortage: monovalent Hib vaccine (ActHIB) and DTaP-IPV/Hib (Pentacel). Beginning in July 2009, the manufacturer of these two vaccines will increase the number of doses of these two products available for use in the United States, which will result in the supply being sufficient to reinstate the Hib vaccine booster dose.
- Recommendation
- Americas
- United States of America
- Haemophilus influenzae type B
