Merck’s Childhood Vaccine Woes: Big Recall In US, And Canada Probes MMR Over Serious Reaction
25 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // December 12th, 2007 // 5:56 pm
The reason is sterility at a manufacturing plant in West Point, Pennsylvania, that began to surface about one month ago. The vaccine, for those who aren’t aware, is used to prevent meningitis and pneumonia in the form of a three-dose shot for kids under 5 years old, although it’s usually given to infants beginning when they reach two months of age.
The recall is being described by FDA and CDC officials as precautionary and, in a teleconference this evening, stressed there is no immediate health threat and described the move as a “nuisance.” However, there is a risk of an outbreak if supplies don’t return to normal over the next several months. Merck and Sanofi-Aventis are the only two drugmakers that supply this vaccine and the usual annual stockpile is about 14 million doses.
“This is not a health threat,” Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said during the briefing, adding that there were no cases of adverse events reported. More than 92 percent of the current population of children is vaccinated.
To see which lots are being recalled, you can look here. And this is the Merck statement.
Separately, Canada suspended use of three batches of a mumps vaccine today after five people fell ill in the midst of a vaccination campaign in the western province of Alberta, Reuters reports. Health Canada advised against the use of the three lots of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine sold by MerckFrosst Canada, while it investigates five suspected cases of anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction characterized by swelling and difficulty breathing.
All five cases involved adults aged 20 to 30 in Alberta who had a previous history of allergy, and all fully recovered. Canadian officials are now trying to determine if the vaccine may be causing the same adverse reaction elsewhere. A joint investigation by Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Alberta is being carried out in conjunction with Merck, and soliciting reports of adverse effects from other countries that use the MMR-II vaccine. Merck markets the vaccine in the US, the EU, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Argentina, Russia and elsewhere.
Because all of our vaccine producers now are all global, then we also reach out globally to determine whether or not there are any other adverse events or clusters of adverse events that people are seeing elsewhere related to this product, or related to any of these lots that may be gone elsewhere,” Arlene King, a director with the Public Health Agency, told Reuters. “It will probably be several weeks before we have a complete analysis of both the adverse events and the product.”
“This is very unusual. Millions and millions of doses of this vaccine have been given around the world so really this vaccine is very safe,” Sheila Murphy, manager of public affairs for vaccines at MerckFrosst Canada, tells Reuters. “We are, from our side, looking at globally whether we have any reported cases of anaphylaxis and from the manufacturing side whether there has been any anomaly in the production of the vaccine.”
Jill
My 18 month old child was hospitalized 8-1-07 2 weeks after recieving this vacc on 7-17-07! She ran a 105-106 temp for almost a week before they shipped her off to Childrens hospital in Oklahoma! There was a lump on her leg where she recieved the vacc…….after over 4,000 test were ran trying to figure out what might be causing her illness, nothing was found!!!!!!!!! Classified as a mystery illness?!!?!?!?!?!? What do you think I should do??????? Her twin sister recieved the same vacc the same day with no problems!!!!!!!
Lisa Van S
Ed,
Are these the vaccines, that, have just recently been mandated here in NJ?
atlex
These vaccines were already mandated and have been for years.
Lisa Van S
Atlex,
Do you know how may years, because I dont recall my children getting them. My daughter rcved the Meningitis prior to her first year at University, and my son attends a Private School that doesnt require it.
Atlex
I don’t know the number of years, but the vaccine in question is a version of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine that have been the standard of care for many years. Even with home schooled kids, those who opt out for religious reasons and other exemptions, about 90% or 95% of kids have these vaccines. Check you records, your kids likely had the MMR or a version thereof.
Atlex
Lisa, my bad. The vaccine in question in the US is the HiB. This, too, has been common practice for a number of years now, but far fewer years than the MMR.
Lisa Van S
Atlex,
My kids have had the MMR and so have I. It is Mandatory here in NJ for New Mother’s to be tested for the MMR Antibodies, I had none, and wasnt able to leave the hospital until I got the shot. My thinking back then was I didnt want to catch the mumps, and and then pass it along to my husband. And the HIB also sounds familiar.
Carolina
Research before you give your child ANY vaccinations. You owe it to them to be fully informed. You can always vax later but you can never un-vax.
Here’s a great place to start:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=47
And the plot thickens… Merck’s MMR II recalled in Canada « Journey To Crunchville
[...] http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/12/merck-recalls-1-million-doses-of-hib-vaccine/ [...]
Jules
Carolina, reading posts on a forum populated by undereducated mothers looking for a cause is not a good way to become informed.
SHELLY W., CDA, ID
Vance V. Walker , my son, died of unexplained sudden death 56 hours following his 4 month vaccines in Kootenai County, ID. Two other infant boys died of unexplained sudden death within 72 hours of their vaccines in Kootenai County as well. The three deaths occurred on Sept 4th, Sept 15th and Oct 9th 2007 respectively. What the infants had in common was that they were immunized with the 4 month vaccines and that they were boys. Following the deaths, the coroner’s office was shocked. Never had this local coroner seen three unexplained sudden deaths immediately following the immunizations in this county.
AH C
My son was hospitalized 6 days after having this vaccine. he had seizures that would not stop. The ER doc said that his seizures looked exactly like ‘Hib’
Does anyone know of a class action going on?
Shelly, I’m so sorry about your son.
Shellt W.
National Childhood Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. MUST BE FILLED WITHIN 24 months of the event to receive any compensation. ALL ATTORNEYS FEES AND COSTS ARE PAID THROUGH THE SAME FUND regardless of win or loose. Contact 804 782 0613
Mr Stiller
My 18 month old child had to be in Riley hospital for 8 days and ALMOST DIED!!! Get a lawyer!! or better yet contact mine so she can compare how the children were affected.
If anyone had children become ill since their vaccine, please contact me @ STILLEREST1995@AOL.COM
WE MUST STAND TOGETHER AND SUE MERCK!
CDA ID
WHAT DO VACCINE RESEARCHERS HAVE TO SAY? WE ALREADY KNOW VACCINES CONTAIN UNEXPLAINED CONTAMINENTS. WAKE UP THERE ARE RISKS THAT CAN NOT BE SEEN BECAUSE THERE NOT LOOKED FOR.
TOdd
yes, like the risk of not getting polio, smallpox, measles, mumps, ruebella, hepatitis, chickenpox, pnuemonia, influenza, and shingles. Why don’t we look harder at the millions of people saved from the horror of polio. Wait, we don’t see it anymore so it is easier to focus on the MUCH smaller risks that the products contain. If you have ever met someone with polio, you wouldn’t question the benefit they have given the whole world. But keep talking about the risks that we cannot see…. whatever that means.
Joe
To the person who directs people to the “mothering.com” site:
So I went here: http://www.mothering.com/sections/experts/fisher.html
And read this:
She has a BA in English. That’s her qualifications. But this is the best:
“The mother of three children, her oldest son, Chris, was left with multiple learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder after a severe reaction to his fourth DPT shot in 1980 when he was two and a half years oldâ€
And realized you people are completely nuts. I suppose the vaccines cause world poverty and war too.
TOdd
Thanks for the note Joe. I forgot that on my quick list of diseases prevented by vaccines above. I did forget the DPT.
Welcome to the club Joe — I will warn you, those with an actual medical background and the ability to apply it to the data are vastly outnumbered by the English majors among others.
The site was nice, as there are ads for Enbrel and the mennigitis vaccine — left that one off my list as well. Interesting site, but as a general rule I avoid anything that titles itself a Commune.
CDA ID
THOSE WITH AN ACTUAL MEDICAL BACK GROUND, WHO TRULY UNDER STAND THE RISKS INVOVLED, KEEP THEIR HANDS OVER THEIR MOUTHS AND PROTECT THEIR FAMLIES QUIETLY. VACCINE RESEARCHERS CURRENTLY KNOW BETTER. READ YOUR PRODUCT INSERT BEFORE YOU CHOOSE; CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL CDC; FIND OUT HOW MANY DEADLY DISEASES ARE KILLING BABIES IN YOUR STATE. THAT MAY HELP YOU MAKE AN EDJUCATED GUESS. WE ARE IN A NEW ERA SO AJUST ACCORDINGLY.
Mr Stiller
Jill (LAST POST( please contact me about your child becoming sick from shots.My child almost died from it!!
STILLEREST1995@AOL.COM
laura
I was thirty and received a polio shot. I dev post vaccine encephalitis and numerous neuro problems. Because of my cause of illness I couldn’t even get good medical help. The doctors push these vaccines but when something goes wrong where is the medical help???????????
STILLER
Can someone please help me.I need to contact “Jill” she posted a post about her child becoming very ill Dec12th @743pm.
Can you please send me her email!!!! :)
STILLEREST1995@AOL.COM
Shelly Walker, Vances Mom
I really hope the whole world reads our story, please pass it on to those you love. Four million live births in the USA yearly. 90precent are vaccinated 1.5% represents 45,000 children who will suffer permenent diability,Brain damage or death. Before reaching there first birthday. Based on what the manufacturer says in their product insert information sheet.
http://www.proliberty.com/observer/200880214.htm
Shelly Walker, Vances Mom
Sorry that the last weblink had typo in it.
correct one is here
http://www.proliberty.com/observer/20080214.htm
STILLER
CHILD ALMOST DIES FOLLOWING VACCINATIONS 11-2007
My child had his shots then almost died.If anyone has a similiar situation will you please contact me.He went threw 8 days in the childrens hospital and we are positive it was because of the shots.
STILLEREST1995@AOL.COM