LOS ANGELES – California Department of Health Officials quelled any worries the public may have about the H1N1 vaccination shots recently recalled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Earlier this week, the CDC recalled more than 800,000 H1N1 vaccines intended for young children, ages six months to 3 years old, about 100,000 of which in California.
"We are in the process of investigating the providers of those [recalled] vaccinations," said Ken August, a spokesperson for the CDH during a New America Media (NAM) press conference in Los Angeles.
August explains that the recall was a precautionary procedure because "its potency was below the optimal level."
"I just want to emphasize, this is not a safety recall," he said. "The shots are completely safe."
The 800,000 doses were in pre-filled syringes and initially, passed potency tests, but tests a few days later indicated the vaccine lost its effectiveness.
August said the CDH hopes to finish its investigation of providers with the recalled vaccines later this week.
He added he does not think children injected with the recalled H1N1 vaccine need to be re-vaccinated.
Minorities and H1N1
During the press conference, CDH officials continued to urge those who have not received an H1N1 vaccination shot to get one from their providers as soon as possible contrary to the recent reports the rate of H1N1 infection has declined in the state.
"It may be declining but it’s not going away," said Dr. Ben Sun, a CDH epidemiologist.
Sun said more than 7,000 California residents have been infected by the swine flu. About 400 have died from the virus.
"The threat is still high in this state," he said. "People need to get the vaccine now to stop the spread of this."
NAM Executive Director Sandy Close said it’s vital, especially for members of the ethnic community, to get a vaccination.
Close said a recent report by NAM suggests minorities are more vulnerable to the swine flu.
"It’s because some ethnic groups have pre-existing conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease and many don’t have health care so that puts them at a greater risk," said Close.
Sun said the CDH has not found any significant evidence to suggest minorities are at a greater risk of getting the swine flu. He said all ethnicities are in danger.
"Everyone has an equal risk," said Sun.
( Published December 19, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. A1 )
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