Merck Recalls 1 Million Doses Of Childhood Vaccine To Prevent Meningitis

By MIKE STOBBE AP Medical Writer

ATLANTA, GA.(AP) – Merck & Co. is recalling about a million doses of a childhood vaccine, after testing showed a sterilization problem in a Pennsylvania factory.

The company is not aware of any harm to children who received the vaccine, known as Hib, which prevents meningitis and pneumonia.

It is a three-dose shot recommended for all children under 5 and is usually given to infants starting at two months old. The recall involves 10 lots of Hib vaccine and two lots of a combination vaccine for both Hib and hepatitis B, a Merck spokeswoman said.

She said the company did not find contamination in the vaccine itself, but in the plant where the vaccine is produced in West Point, Pa.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)