16 Dec 2009
In response to media enquiries on the recall of certain lots of Sanofi Pasteur's human swine influenza (HSI) vaccine for children in the US due to potency concerns, a spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) said today (December 16):
"The recalled lot in the US consists of pre-filled syringes for pediatric use. This lot is different from our Hong Kong batch which consists of multi-dose vials."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, the same vaccine packaged in other dosing forms, including multi-dose vials, continues to meet all the required specifications of potency, purity and safety.
The spokesman said: "The DH has scrutinized the batch certificates and quality control reports of the HSI vaccine lot received in Hong Kong. We confirm that our vaccines meet all the potency specifications."
The spokesman noted that the recalled batch in the US was manufactured in a different vaccine facility as distinguised from the lot supplied to Hong Kong.
"We will continue to liaise with the vaccine manufacturer to obtain further information and updates.
"The HSI vaccination programme in Hong Kong will proceed as planned," he said.