Culpeper patients received recalled H1N1 vaccine

A total of 12 pediatric patients in Culpeper received injectable doses of the H1N1 swine flu vaccine being recalled by the manufacturer after routine tests proved the vaccine was less potent than expected.

“From our records, six of the children have already had the necessary two doses of vaccine and should have full protection,” said Dr. Dana Bradshaw, Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District director. “The other six simply need to get their second dose after the recommended 28-day time period between shots. We will be ensuring this occurs, as we would with any other child in this 9 and under age group.”

The recalled vaccine, which Dr. Bradshaw stresses isn’t a safety issue, represents less than 1 percent of the more than 2.4 million doses of H1N1 swine flu vaccine distributed throughout Virginia.

Vaccine producer Sanofi Pasteur is voluntarily recalling a total of 800,000 pre-filled syringes intended for children ages 6 months to 35 months.

About 23,700 weak doses of vaccines were distributed to a total of 64 public and private health care facilities throughout Virginia last month.

According to Bradshaw, about 100 recalled doses went to Madison and the other 100 to Culpeper.

He said the remainder of the recalled vaccine is being shipped back to the manufacturer.

Recently, the Fauquier Health Department served as a medical clearinghouse for the Piedmont’s five counties: Culpeper, Madison, Fauquier, Orange and Rappahannock.

During Tuesday’s press conference in Richmond, health officials stressed that children who received the vaccine didn’t need to be revaccinated, but needed to get a second H1N1 shot.

Dr. Diane Helentjaris, director of the office of H1N1 response for the Virginia Department of Health, said health-care providers were being notified by e-mails Monday about the recall.

According to the manufacturer, the vaccine met potency levels when it was shipped.

Other area providers that received the recalled vaccine include The University of Virginia Health System, Martha Jefferson Hospital, Fredericksburg Health Department, Charlottesville/Albemarle County Health Department, and Fairfax County Health Department.

VDH tracks all H1N1 swine flu vaccines through the Virginia Immunization Information System.

Immunization providers are required to record in the patient’s medical record or in an office log the date of administration, the site of administration, the vaccine type and lot number, and the name of the immunization provider for each individual vaccinated, according to Melodie Martin, public relations coordinator, office of H1N1 for VDH.

The record must be kept on file for a minimum of three years following the vaccination, Martin added.