HIB Booster Vaccine Available Again

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Story Published: Nov 18, 2009 at 6:39 PM PDT

By Melissa Wagner

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Yakima - A shortage on the H-I-B vaccine last fall had a lot of parents worried about their toddler's health. The meningitis booster is available again. But some of those kids who missed it the first time, may never get it.

Thaidyn was one of many toddlers who did not get his scheduled HIB booster vaccine last fall.
There was a nationwide shortage of the vaccine when the maker recalled a million doses because of possible contamination. That shortage lasted 18 months, meaning a lot of parents were told to wait, and check back in later.

Maryann Patnode with the Yakima Health District says medical providers now have an adequate supply, " When the deferment was lifted this summer the plan was to start giving that booster to any child who came into the office."

Thaidyn's mom, Mandi said "I told them I wanted to know as soon as possible when it came in."

But that doesn't mean Thaidyn got his booster. The Department of Health and Human Services sent out a letter to medical providers saying "Although there is an adequate supply to reinstate the booster, it's not enough to support an immediate recall of those children who were deferred."

The good news is during the shortage, the CDC said is has not seen any increase in bacterial infections associated with HIB. And the FDA approved another company's version of the HIB booster this summer. Hiberix is now licensed to be used as the booster, or final dose of the HIB.

" Now that vaccine can only be used as a booster. But it was an additional supply of the booster dose, so the recommendation is that you can offer that booster dose to children as they come into your office and practice, if you have the opportunity to give them the vaccine," said Patnode.

But as for getting that booster. It's up to you to make the call to your doctor, and ask for it again.

The complete HIB vaccine series is a requirement for all kids in daycare. Because of the shortage, daycares could not enforce it. But should now be reminding parents to get that booster.

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