Health

Advisory

IMPORTANT NOTICE OF THE USE OF HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE TYPE B (HIB) CONJUGATE VACCINES IN CHILDREN

Because of a short-term reduction in available doses of Hib-containing vaccines resulting from the recent Merck recall, the CDC, in

consultation with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American

Academy of Pediatrics, recommends that providers take the following action regarding the use of Heamophilus influenzae Type b (Hib)

Conjugate Vaccines in children:

To temporarily defer administering the routine Hib vaccine booster dose administered at age 12–15 months except to children in

specific groups at high risk such as children with:

• asplenia,
• sickle cell disease,
• human immunodeficiency virus infection,
• certain other immunodeficiency syndromes and
• malignant neoplasms.

Providers should register and track children for whom the booster dose is deferred to facilitate recalling them for vaccination when

supply improves.

To maximize the amount of available vaccine, providers should order only the number of doses of vaccine required to meet immediate needs

(i.e., a supply for up to 4 weeks) and should refrain from attempting to build an inventory of Hib vaccine.

For questions please call the Immunization Hotline at 1-800-282-8672.