CONTACT: Stephanie Marquis, 608-266-1683 

RECALLED H1N1 VACCINES INTENDED FOR CHILDREN ARE SAFE

MADISON - The Department of Health Services (DHS) wants to reassure parents whose child has received an H1N1 vaccine that the H1N1 vaccine is safe.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that about 800,000 doses of H1N1 made by Sanofi Pasteur are being voluntarily recalled because the antigen content is below specified limits. The non-safety voluntary recall is based upon testing of pre-filled syringes intended for young children, ages 6 months to three years. Some of the lots have a lower antigen content, and the antigen is the ingredient in the vaccine which helps a person’s body create antibodies to boost the vaccine’s effectiveness.

The CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are in agreement that a small decrease in antigen content is unlikely to result in a significant reduction in effectiveness for those who have received vaccine from the affected lots. In addition, children under age 10 require two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, with an optimal time of four weeks between first and second doses. Therefore, children receiving two doses should have adequate protection against the virus.

Wisconsin has received 14,700 doses of the recalled vaccine. DHS is in the process of contacting healthcare providers who received the vaccine so further doses are not administered. DHS is also alerting providers that there is no need to revaccinate persons who have received vaccine from the affected lots, but that a second H1N1 vaccine dose should be administered to children as usual.

H1N1 activity is expected to continue throughout the influenza season and DHS recommends that all individuals, especially those on the CDC target list, get vaccinated as another wave of H1N1 cases could occur later this season. Even those who’ve had flu-like symptoms should be vaccinated as there are a variety of respiratory illnesses that circulate during cold and flu season.

People may call 2-1-1 to find out an H1N1 or seasonal influenza vaccine clinic nearest them. A “clinic finder” is also available online at http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov or www.wisconsinfluclinic.info.

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Last Revised:  July 12, 2010