H1N1 Vaccines Recalled for Potency

December 22, 2009

Grant County, Washington — At least 5,100 doses of the H1N1 vaccines manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur were recalled and shipped to Washington state.

“I understand why parents might be concerned. Yet, it is important for everyone to know that the vaccine is safe,” stated Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. “Also, there are other options available for young children who still need to get the H1N1 vaccine.”

The Washington State Department of Health said the vaccines were not potent enough but it was not harmful to people who were injected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it would still be able to protect children from the virus.

However not all of the vaccines were recalled as nearly 1.6 million doses were already delivered to Washington. The Department of Health is coordinating with local health agencies to know which organizations were given the shipments of the vaccine.