Influenza Vaccine (Fluvirin) Recall

[LongIsland]

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals...inrecall06.htm


Only Fluvirin vaccine (Novartis/Chiron) purchased through CDC contracts and shipped by Cardinal Health Care were potentially exposed to freezing temperatures. This vaccine has been recalled. There is no safety concern due to receiving this vaccine, however the vaccine potency may have been compromised due to the temperature exposure.

If a person was inadvertently administered this vaccine, they should be recalled for revaccination in order to ensure adequate protection from influenza disease. There is no minimum interval required between doses.

[Dido]

I believe the same company was responsible for large-scale contamination of its flu vax supply (despite the use of thimerosal) at a British plant in 2004.

[dymanic]

Originally Posted by BrklynMama

I believe the same company was responsible for large-scale contamination of its flu vax supply (despite the use of thimerosal) at a British plant in 2004.

That was Chiron, but the license suspension was not for actual contamination, but merely the possibility of it, due to violations of proper sterilization procedures. In this instance, the (potential) problem occurred during distribution, and affected only the (two) lots shipped during a specific six-day period. Though it was the distributor rather than the manufacturer who made the error, the recall was initiated by the manufacturer (Novartis, formerly Chiron).

What LongIsland has drawn our attention to here is the extreme fussiness of the folks who produce, distribute, and regulate these vaccines.

[HeatherHeather]

I'm usually not a conspirist, but . . . This stinks of a rat. A lot of experts think getting vaccinated later than the first few weeks of December is pointless. Methinks the CDC has a surplus of vax . . .

On a related note, if a vax has been recalled as being ineffective and someone goes in to get another one, who pays for the second shot?

[HeatherHeather]

I did a quick google search and looked at a couple of links about the recalled vaccine and they all were pushing people to get the FLUMIST vaccine.: : :

[Dido]

Originally Posted by dymanic

That was Chiron, but the license suspension was not for actual contamination, but merely the possibility of it, due to violations of proper sterilization procedures.

Oh my goodness, I can't believe I'm arguing with Dymanic, one of my vax forum heroes! I really think that there was actual contamination. It was serratia, which is supposed to be knocked out by thimerosal, but wasn't.

http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopi...ology1016.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2004Nov17.html

Anyway, Dymanic, all your posts are on the flu these days. Boring! Why don't you use your debunking energy on juicier topics?

[dymanic]

Originally Posted by BrklynMama

I really think that there was actual contamination.

It's kind of a nitpick. I don't think anybody believed that there was large-scale contamination; they decided to err on the side of caution.

Why don't you use your debunking energy on juicier topics?

Influenza is what interests me the most. I barely have time to talk about that these days. Don't be surprised if I disappear completely for a couple of weeks during November at least. But I'd rather not think of it as "debunking", because that implies a one-directional exchange of information: from me (the one who is "right") to anyone who disagrees with my view (and whose view is therefore "bunk"). There are plenty of unresolved questions, and tackling those from different perspectives (sometimes referred to as "arguing") should be a learning experience for all involved. It's hard to stay teachable when you're busy "debunking".

[LongIsland]

Originally Posted by dymanic

It's kind of a nitpick. I don't think anybody believed that there was large-scale contamination; they decided to err on the side of caution.

A "nitpick?"
That's not exactly how it went down dymanic.

Besides, this is hardly the first time a vaccine manufacturing plant abroad, or in the United States for that matter, has had serious issues with the manufacturing of a vaccine. And it won't be the last.