Grant County H1N1 vaccines not part of recall

GRANT COUNTY — Some H1N1 vaccines manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur were recalled.

A Washington State Department of Health spokesperson reported there are no safety issues, but the vaccines are not quite as potent as they should be. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials say the vaccine should still protect kids from H1N1 influenza.

Grant County Health Department public information officer Theresa Fuller said the health district and Grant County healthcare facilities did not receive the recalled vaccine.

“The recall should not impact our 2009 H1N1 vaccine supply,” Fuller said.

The recalled product is a very small percentage of the more than 1.6 million doses of H1N1 vaccine Washington state health districts received. All children can still be vaccinated from multi-dose vials and healthy children two and older can get the nasal spray vaccine.

About 5,100 doses of the recalled vaccine were shipped to Washington state. The state Department of Health (DOH) is working with local health agencies to track organizations that received shipments and make them aware of the recall.

“I understand why parents might be concerned. Yet, it’s 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.”

DOH’s H1N1 Web site at www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1 provides additional information on the vaccine, as well as tips on how schools, businesses and people at home can avoid getting sick.