February 5th, 2009--The FDA is notifying the public of a problem with five lots of Fluvirin (Novartis). The problem was a loss of potency of stored vaccine over time, and is requesting health care providers to "immediately discontinue use of and return any remaining doses they may have from five lots of FLUVIRIN® Influenza vaccine Luer-Lok pre-filled syringes". The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Novartis Vaccines have agreed that no public health impact is expected.
Revaccination is not necessary. Details of the recall can be accessed by using the link below.
February 4th, 2009--In a MMWR article published on January 30th, the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health reported the deaths of five children under age 5 who had died in 2008 due to infection with Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) in Minnesota. Hib is a vaccine-preventable disease that can cause numerous severe illnesses, including bacterial meningitis, epiglottitis, pneumonia, and bacteremia. The Milwaukee Health Department continues to urge parents and health care providers to keep children up-to-date with their vaccinations. The State of Wisconsin has released a memo regarding Hib and calls on health departments and health care providers to work to improve Hib vaccination coverage.
May 3, 2008--Vaccines: We're all in this together, City of Milwaukee Commissioner of Health Bevan K. Baker's article in the Sunday Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (click for link).