800,000 doses of swine flu vaccine recalled -- 10,000 in Maryland
Vaccine maker Sanofi Pasteur is recalling 800,000 doses of a children's H1N1 vaccine after tests showed the vaccine had lost some of its strength.
About 10,300 doses of the pre-filled syringes have gone out to 48 providers in Maryland, according to the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The pre-filled syringes, designed for children 6 months to 3 years old, are popular with doctors' offices because they are convenient and lack the preservative thimerosal, said David Paulson, a health department spokesman.
The recalled vaccine comprises nearly 12.8 percent of the nearly 79,900 pre-filled syringes for children distributed around the state. So far, Maryland has received some 1.8 million doses of the swine flu vaccine.
None of the recalled vaccine was used by local health departments in their numerous clinics this fall.
The state health department is sending emails to providers alerting them of the recall and is awaiting further instruction from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC says despite the reduced potency, children who have already been vaccinated with this shot, do NOT need to get vaccinated again. The vaccine, even in reduced strength, should provide enough protection.
Here's more information, including a Q&A from the CDC on the issue.
AP photo
