CDC to reinstate booster shots for HiB vaccine

updated 1:41 p.m. ET June 25, 2009

CHICAGO - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday it plans to reinstate booster shoots of a vaccine that protects babies and toddlers against bacterial meningitis.

The CDC said in a statement it believes manufacturers will have enough supply of the vaccine to resume giving a booster shot of HiB (Haemophilus influenza type b) to children aged 12 to 15 months.

Merck & Co Inc in 2007 recalled its HiB vaccines because production equipment may not have been properly sterilized. The CDC said HiB vaccine made by Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi-Aventis, will increase enough starting in July to allow reinstatement of the HiB booster for children aged 12 to 15 months.

Short supplies of the vaccine will not allow a mass recall of older children who missed their booster, CDC said.

Also in msnbc.com Health   Air ambulances leave some with sky-high bills   Docs airlift toddler with 42 needles stuck in him Looks buy happiness, but only in the city | Poll Kidney chain donors, patients meet |   Slide show   Animal Tracks: Eye candy for animal lovers

MORE FROM KIDS AND PARENTING

Kids and parenting Section Front

11 baby deaths now linked to Simplicity cribs Day care workers accused of drugging kids 50 million shades recalled for strangulation risk Study: Drop in pot use among teens levels off NYT: Building a baby, with few ground rules After crash, orphans torn between countries Holiday treats a tempting trap for heavy kids Mozart’s music may help preemies gain weight Letters to Santa full of chuckles, but also tears Celebrating the holidays when Mom or Dad are deployed Kids and parenting Section Front   Add Kids and parenting headlines to your news reader: