SUMMARY: Swine flu vaccine doses for young children manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur have been recalled because tests indicated they may have lost the necessary strength, government health officials said. Most of the 800,000 doses have already been used, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccine is not dangerous, but the tests indicated the strength had fallen slightly below required levels.

STORY LINK: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34432437?GT1=43001

ANALYSIS:

This news item reflects the continuing evolution of the pandemic and highlights both the enduring realities and persistent myths surrounding H1N1 and humanity’s response.  This recall involves a vaccine developed specifically for infants 6 to 35 months of age.  When approved for distribution, this low-dose, thimerosal-free vaccine in prefilled syringes met FDA requirements for efficacy.  It is important to note that vaccines continue to be tested and such subsequent evaluations determined that this lot had decreased in potency by about 12 percent.  This led to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer, Sanofi-Aventis.  Several points are key here.  One is that vaccines are not rushed out in an experimental form, but subjected to intense and ongoing testing.  The reduction in potency poses no threat to children who received this immunization, and in all likelihood they have sufficient immunity, provided they received both of the recommended shots.

While the spread of H1N1 continues to slow in the United States, the danger is far from over. China reported flu deaths there rose by over a third this past week.  Similarly, American universities reported an increase in incidents of flu following the Thanksgiving break.  As immunization has progressed these numbers have fallen, but can be expected to rise once more when students return to campus in January.  Health officials continue to emphasize the value of immunization for both H1N1 and for seasonal flu.  This is wise counsel.