The following article from the Poison Control Center was released to TLS by Police Chief Rob Lawson: There is no danger if your child received the H1N1 vaccine that was recalled by Sanofi Pasteur.  That is the information being provided to anyone calling the NJ Poison Control Center’s hotline, according to Bruce Ruck, Pharm.D., Director of Drug Information and Professional Education.  The public should be reassured that this recall took place because specific lots were found to be slightly weaker than they should have been.  The vaccine involved was intended for use only in children 6 months to 35 months of age and was in prefilled syringes.  If a child was outside of that age group or did not get the vaccine in a prefilled syringe, this recall does not apply at all.  Further, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the potency of the vaccine was still good enough to provide immunity for the children who received the vaccine, provided the second dose is received 28 days later.

According to Peter Wenger, MD, a Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist at UMDNJ — New Jersey Medical School, there are no safety concerns related to this recall.  Based upon the information received from the CDC, Dr. Wenger said he expects the vaccine to be effective.  Revaccination is not being suggested at this time.  All children under the age of 10 should always receive a second dose of vaccine, regardless of what vaccine they received.  No one needs an extra dose because of the recall. 

Specialists from the NJ Poison Information and Education System (NJPIES) are available to answer any further safety concerns you may have.  NJPIES provides free consultation through telephone hotline services and the web.  Medical professionals such as physicians, registered nurses, and pharmacists offer confidential advice regarding poison emergencies and provide information on poison prevention, drugs, food poisoning, animal bites and more.  The specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  For more information, visit www.njpies.org or call the center’s hotline at 1-800-222-1222.   

For an interview with Dr. Ruck, please call 1-800-222-1222 if in NJ.  If outside of NJ, please call 1-800-962-1253.