Rabies vaccine for humans recalled in 24 countries; live strain of virus found in some samples

ATLANTA (AP) -- A common rabies vaccine for humans is being recalled in 24 countries after a live strain of the virus was found in some samples made at the same time.<br><br>Testing of Aventis Pasteur's

Wednesday, April 7th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ATLANTA (AP) -- A common rabies vaccine for humans is being recalled in 24 countries after a live strain of the virus was found in some samples made at the same time.

Testing of Aventis Pasteur's IMOVAX vaccine uncovered the presence of a live Pittman-Moore strain of the rabies virus, when the drug "should not contain live virus," the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

While the tested lot of the vaccine was never distributed for public use, Aventis recalled four other lots in the United States because they were made during the same time as the faulty lot.

The CDC said although it was unlikely that anyone who received rabies shots from the recalled lots could have been exposed to the live form of the Pittman-Moore virus, "a theoretical possibility exists."

As a result, the CDC has recommended that people who have taken recalled rabies shots receive additional shots of the vaccine that have not been recalled.

The recalled lots, X0667-2, X0667-3, W1419-2 and W1419-3, were distributed between Sept. 23 and Friday, company officials said.

Twenty-one other lots were being recalled in 23 other countries, according to information from the vaccine manufacturer posted Wednesday on ProMed-mail, a Web site for infectious disease doctors.

Those recalled lots did pass quality tests, the CDC said.