On December 12, 2007, Merck & Co. recalled about 1.2 million doses of its Comvax and PedvaxHIB vaccines after tests found equipment used to make the vaccines may not have been properly sterilized.

The recalled vaccines protect against Hib disease (Haemophilus influenzae type b), which used to be a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in infants. The vaccines are used to protect against meningitis, pneumonia, and other serious illnesses. The Hib vaccine is given in three doses, typically at the ages of two months, four months and 12 months.

Eleven lots of PedvaxHIB vaccines and two lots of Comvax vaccines were recalled after they were distributed beginning in April 2007. All lots but one were distributed in the United States.

The plant where the recalled Merck & Co. vaccines were produced is in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. In 2006, the plant experienced a manufacturing problem with Merck?s chickenpox vaccine, though a Merck & Co. spokeswoman said the current issues differ.

Sources: Jennifer Corbett Dooren, ?Merck recalls childhood vaccine,? Wall Street Journal, December 13, 2007; ?Merck recalls 1.2 mln doses of children?s vaccines,? Reuters, December 12, 2007.