Continued shortage for Hib vaccine

Continued shortage for Hib vaccine

The continued shortage of the Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) vaccine has not led to an increase in Haemophilus infections according to the MMWR. It has been a year since the CDC recommended deferring the fourth dose of the Hib vaccine in healthy children (at 12-15 months of age) because of a shortage due to contamination concerns in the manufacturing process. Merck & Co. now reports that mid-2009 is a realistic date for normal production. The CDC has undertaken national surveillance for Hib infections including 748 cases in children < 5 years old. Of these, only 6% were clearly identified as serotype b (the most invasive strain of Haemophilus), although serotyping information was missing in nearly 40% of cases. The CDC is concerned because antibody levels fall 12 months after vaccination in children. In the U.K., where the fourth booster was not initially recommended, Hib infections rebounded after 12-15 months. CDC is recommending vigilance on the part of pediatricians and also is emphasizing that state and hospital labs should perform serotyping on all Haemophilus infections.