SHORTENED SHELF LIFE OF SOME H1N1 VACCINE

On Feb. 3 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified all states including Delaware that 50 lots of vaccine distributed from November 2009 to January 2010 will have a shorter expiration period than indicated on the label and should be used by Feb. 15, 2010 regardless of the expiration printed on the package. There are no safety concerns with these lots of H1N1 vaccine. People who received vaccine from the lots listed below do not need to take any action as the potency of vaccine administered is not diminished. Doses of this vaccine not used by February 15, 2010 should be discarded or returned to the manufacturer.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) has determined that Delaware received 24,633 doses of vaccine from 17 of the lots identified as having a shorter expiration period than indicated. These lots met all required specifications at the time of release. Unused vaccine should be discarded or returned to the manufacturer once return instructions are received by recipient health care providers.

The following table shows an entire list of all vaccine with a shortened shelf life, it's original expiration and new expiration date:

* indicates a lot that was received in Delaware

Delawareans are reminded to get their H1N1 vaccination and to remember that all children younger than than 10 years old should get the recommended two doses of H1N1 vaccine at least one month apart for optimal immune response.

For additional information about both H1N1 and seasonal vaccines, please see our website at www.flu.delaware.gov

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.