Recalled hepa B vaccine not registered with FDA

MANILA, Philippines - The hepatitis B vaccine recalled by Chinese health authorities is not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday.

“We are monitoring this but as far as the DOH is concerned, we are not using that vaccine in our immunization program,” DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said.

Tayag said the DOH acquires its vaccine supplies from the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Chinese health authorities have ordered the recall of the hepatitis vaccine following the death of several infants immunized with it. The victims were residents of Guangdong, Hunan and Sichuan.

Chinese officials also ordered all health care facilities using the vaccine, manufactured by the Shenzhen-based Biokangtai, to remove it from their shelves.