Merck Announces Voluntary Recall
of Certain Lots of PEDVAXHIB^® and COMVAX^®

12/12/2007 - WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J.- Merck & Co., Inc. announced today that the Company has initiated a voluntary recall of two lots of its combination Haemophilus influenzae type B/ hepatitis B vaccine, COMVAX [Haemophilus b Conjugate (Meningococcal Protein Conjugate)]. The recall is specific to these 13 lots and does not affect any other vaccines manufactured by Merck. The affected doses of COMVAX were distributed starting in April 2007.

Merck is conducting this vaccine recall because it can not assure sterility of these specific vaccine lots. The potential contamination of these specific lots was identified as part of the Company's standard evaluation of its manufacturing processes. Sterility tests of the vaccine lots that are the subject of this recall have not found any contamination in the vaccine. The potential for contamination of any individual vaccine is low, and, if present, the level of contamination would be low. However, because the Company cannot assure the sterility of these specific lots of vaccine, it is conducting this recall.

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