Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc.,
Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for
Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at
http://www.immunizationinfo.org .
------------------------------------------------------------
August 12, 2002
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"TB Vaccine Suspended After Concerns Raised Over Potency"
London Guardian ( www.guardian.co.uk/guardian ) (08/10/02) P. 2;
Allison, Rebecca
PowderJect Pharmaceuticals has issued a voluntary recall of its
BCG (tuberculosis) vaccine in the United Kingdom as a precaution
after a temporary suspension of its license in Ireland, and as a
result BCG shots in Britain have been stopped until further
notice. The Department of Health supports the recall and says
that there are no safety problems, but since no other BCG vaccine
is licensed, there will be no more vaccinations until a suitable
vaccine becomes available. The school vaccine program in October
is expected to go on as usual, and PowderJect says it is
cooperating with authorities to resolve any issues. The
company's recall decision comes after it tested a few batches
nearing the end of their shelf life and found that they were
below the normal required standards of potency; however,
independent experts reportedly said the vaccine should still be
effective.
ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.