Pharmacy Error Injury Lawyer Blog
In Maryland news this week, our medical mistake lawyers have been following the recall announcement by Sanofi-Aventis, the vaccine manufacturer of 800,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine for children under the age of three. According to the Washington Post, the flu vaccine has lost potency after being shipped from the factory, and doses are being recalled in Maryland and nationwide.
The recall dosages are single-dose pre-filled syringes containing the vaccine specifically created for children ages 6 to 35 months. It is a voluntary, nationwide recall by Sanofi Pasteur.
During testing at the time of the vaccine’s manufacture, the doses contained 7.5 micrograms of antigen, the recommended dosage used to stimulate immunity in children. But later testing showed degradation of the vaccine, making it less potent than desired. This proved to be the case with four lots of the vaccine, totaling 800,000 doses.
According to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC), this recall is part of a routine quality assurance program and is non-safety related. Children who received the vaccine do not need to be re-immunized, but with future immunizations, children should be given the proper vaccination dosage. With children who have only received one vaccine dose, they should get the get their scheduled second dose.
David Paulson, Maryland Health Department spokesman, stated that Maryland has received 10,300 doses from the affected vaccine lots—going to 48 providers, though not to any local health departments. Although this recall is non-safety related, health officials in Maryland and Virginia are notifying healthcare providers and other vaccinators of the vaccine recall as well as the specific CDC guidance, to avoid any potential for vaccination error, or patient injury.
At Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys are committed to representing victims of medical mistakes and their loved ones, in Maryland and the Washington D.C. area. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Doses of Swine Flu Vaccine for Young Children are Recalled in Md., Va., The Washington Post, December 15, 2009
800,000 Doses of Swine Flu Vaccine Recalled, The Los Angeles Times, December 16, 2009
Related Web Resources:
CDC: Related Voluntary Recall of Certain Lots of Sanofi Pasteur H1N1 Pediatric Vaccine in Pre-Filled Syringes Questions & Answers, December 15, 2009