Immunization Program

Date: November 16, 2007
To: Vaccine Providers
From: Patricia Raymond, Immunization Program Manager
Re: Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) Vaccine Supply

Due to a recent manufacturing issue, limited amounts of our current Hib vaccine product (Merck’s PedvaxHIB) will be available for shipment through the first quarter of 2008. We will continue to supply PedvaxHIB as long as supply allows. However, to ensure that an adequate supply of Hib vaccine is available at all times, we will also begin supplying Sanofi Pasteur’s Hib vaccine product, ActHib. 

Both Hib products are interchangeable, however ActHib is a 4-dose series with 3 primary doses at 2, 4, and  6 months of age, and a booster dose at 12-15 months. PedvaxHIB is a 3-dose series with 2 primary doses at  2 and 4 months of age, and a booster dose at 12-15 months.  The total number of Hib doses a child will require is dependent on the vaccine type and the number of doses previously received.  If it should become necessary to complete a series with ActHib, use the following guidelines and refer to Table 1:

• If any of the primary doses (doses given before 12 months) are ActHib, then 4 doses of vaccine are needed.
• If the first 2 doses of PedvaxHIB were administered as the primary series, only 3 doses of Hib are needed and any available Hib product may be used for the booster dose at age 12-15 months.
• If only one dose of PedvaxHIB has been administered, the primary series should be completed with 2 additional doses of ActHib. There should be a minimum interval of 4 weeks between all doses of the primary series followed by a 4th dose as a booster at age 12-15 months.
• If your supply permits, complete the Hib series using a single product

Table 1.  Schedule for Completing PedvaxHIB Vaccine Series with ActHib:

Please consult CDC’s Catch-Up Immunization Schedule for the timing of doses for children who start late or are more than one month behind: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/default.htm.

Reporting ActHib to KIDSNET

Please report the use of ActHib to KIDSNET using the CPT code: 90648.  If your practice uses KIDSNET Immunization Data Sheets to report vaccines, please document this under the “Other” category.