Routine Kids' Vaccine Recalled

More on the Vaccine

Despite its name, Haemophilus influenzae type B bacteria is not at all related to influenza (the flu) virus, and the Hib vaccine does not protect against the flu — that's an entirely different vaccine altogether.

Besides providing protection against meningitis, the Hib vaccine protects kids from other serious infections like pneumonia, pericarditis (an infection of the membrane covering the heart), and infections of the blood, bones, and joints caused by the bacteria.

What This Means to You

Only some of the vaccines were recalled — many more were not affected at all. If you're concerned that your child may have received one of the recalled vaccine units, contact your doctor. If your child did receive one of the recalled vaccines, it's important to remember that:

• It will still be completely effective at protecting against Hib bacteria. So you won't need to schedule an appointment for another Hib vaccination.
• Any negative side effects from the recalled vaccine — like pus-filled skin bumps or abscesses at the site of the shot — would've happened within a few days to a week of a child receiving the Hib vaccine, says the CDC. Again, though, there have been no reports of any problems in any child.

But if your child was due to receive one of the series of Hib shots, you might need to wait to get that particular immunization until doctors receive a new supply of the vaccine.

Despite this recall, immunizations remain a crucial tool for protecting kids against many serious and potentially deadly diseases during their childhood and beyond. If you have any concerns about the Hib vaccine or any vaccination, be sure to talk to your doctor before making any decision about delaying or skipping an immunization.