Hib Vaccine at 6 Months Given Without the Powder

N.:

I can appreciate your concern, we never want to hear anything was less than it was supposed to be when it comes to our children. However, unless things have changed when I worked for a Pediatrician... the "liquid" was most likely saline (water)which we use to mix with the powder to create the HIB injection. The powder actually is the treatment and again unless this has changed but I'm doubtful it has. I can say in over 15 years of working with all types of physicians, the Pediatricians were by far the most on top of things. You Pediatrician certainly would have advised you if there were any health concerns and it seems there aren't. Even if the new injections are not a mix of saline the main medication is the powder so you baby should be fine getting his next shot. The medical assistant probably went to prepare the mix and got distracted. She gave your baby the injection and the opened powder was discovered later and how they found out which tells me the doctor runs a tight ship! Because if he didn't have a tight control over the process although not perfect, he and you would have never known of the error which would have left your child under protected which would have been worse if you think about it. Unfortunately, errors happen but it sounds like this one will not have an adverse effect on your baby... best wishes!

L.

2 moms found this helpful

Okay, not to make an excuse, but of all the mistakes the nurse could have made, this is the one I'd choose!!! The liquid is usually saline - sometimes sterile water - and the reason you have to wait is because you had OTHER vaccines given at the same time. If munchkin's immune system tackles everything at once, it's okay. However if it gets started on one thing (the other vaccines) it might be a bit too "preoccupied" to get the level of response (and hence the immunity) that your munchkin needs for THIS vaccine. No point sticking a kid if there's even a chance it won't get the result you need. And I don't know that I would leave your pediatrician. I would feel really good that they are so honest (even when it makes them look bad). If this is an isolated incident, I'd stick with them. If, on the other hand, you're already concerned about things there, talk a walk.

1 mom found this helpful

N.,
I am so sorry this happened to your baby. It is concerning to hear any error occurred with a medication given to your baby, but especially when it concerns a vaccine. The information on the news regarding vaccines does make this particular error of great concern to you. However, I can assure you that the liquid part of the vaccine is most likely just a water solution that may or may not contain a small amount of sugar or salt in it. I am a nurse who has had to mix many medications. Every medication I have ever mixed contained the medication in the powder. The liquid was just the diluent source and method to inject the medication. Therefore, I am sure that is the same for vaccines. I would not be concerned about the fact that he only got the liquid. I would probably ask how they plan to prevent that error from happening in the future, but understand that the nurse is human and we all make mistakes. Also, the nurse could have kept the error to herself which would have harmed your baby. You have chosen a group of care givers who are concientious and care about the health and well being of your baby. The proof of this is that they called to let you know of the error. Kudos to you for choosing them to care for your most precious family members.
Best wishes and follow your insticts,
T.

1 mom found this helpful

WHAT A DING-DONG NURSE!!! TOtally safe--the liquid is pretty much inert--like getting a saline injection--really nothing. the powder is the actual vaccine. Freakin' ding-dong---I'd seriously request another nurse did it and tell them what happened---I'd be very very aggravated! Good luck, my dear! AND--if there's a co-pay, I'd ask them to waive it for their negligence for costing you time and undue stress.

1 mom found this helpful

I would go with the advice of the pediatrician and the woman who responded that has worked in those offices.
I didn't work in a pediatric office but I did work in an Animal Hospital and I had to mix the shots for the animals. The same thing she said, the water was saline and it was mixed with the active powder. They had to be mixed fresh so as not to sit.
Please understand, there is an entire force of people who are very, militantly, anti-vax. I am not one of them. I have followed the links, looked at the sources and unless you truly believe that the FDA, AAP, and all of the medical organizations are involved in a serious coverup, I would not worry. I research (and double, triple research) everything and while some of the ingredients can be a little gross at times, I don't find them to be concerning at all. I was also raised around medicine and from a medical family and I received all of my vaccines.
With the recent outbreak of measles in San Diego, I'm even more so pro-vax.
Remember, the vaccine manufacturers only make money as long as the disease still exists. If everyone vaccinated, the vaccine for that disease would become obsolete. No money in obsolete...

1 mom found this helpful

Investigate further before reinjecting so soon, it may the carrier or solution and the powder is the active part. Ask for the drug insert for the vaccine and read it! and then call the pharmacutical company that makes it. They will have an answer because they know everything, they are responsible for all reactions, etc (potential lawsuits), the MD's don't even read those papers. Do your research!!!
Deb

1 mom found this helpful

No! You do not need to do this again, I agree with Jaime, please do some research.

Recently, last year there was a reacall on this vaccine.
The vaccine recall announcement came from the U.S. FDA but the company also has put out a press release on Hib Vaccine Recall. The affected doses of PEDVAXHIB and COMVAX were distributed starting in April 2007.

The resources Jaime gave you are good. Please, investigate when and how to safely vaccinate your child. The Pediatrician is going to tell you what the Pharmaceutical company tells him, he is not going to give you objective information because he has researched it in a balanced way. He only has the information from the one side. Doctor's only know what they have been taught/or told. Most often that is skewed from the pharmaceutical perspective.

This is your child, you have taken the first step in being proactive and reached out for more information, now take the time to learn yourself so that you can make an educated decision on whether or not this is the right decision for you and your children.

I applaud your questions!
Mother of an 11 year old vaccine injured child.

You can ask the nurse, but what probably happened is that the nurse did not reconstitute the vaccine and your child got a shot of sterile water or sterile saline. I work in pharmacy with vaccines and other medications that need to be reconstituted. I personally have never forgot to reconstitute the vials, but I could see how it could be done if rushing and trying to get all 3 shots ready.

My Mother has been a pediatrician for 20 years so I callled and asked her and she said that it was just a shot of sterile saline that the vaccine is the powder and that it needs to be reconstituted. I also told her about what some of the other women were saying about vaccines and she would like to state that Doctors are not taught about vaccines from pharmacutical companies they are thaught this in medical school. She said do not be afraid to have your child vaccinated it could save there life but be proactive about it disscuss all vaccines with your childs Doctor so you know exactly what your child is recieving and by all means do your own research this is your child were talking about. She also wanted me to tell you that just because someone sounds like they know what there talking about doesn't mean they do and unlees your a Doctor you should not be giving out any advice on vaccines, do what YOU think is best for YOUR child.

Your child's health and safety is your pediatrician's first concern. I'm sure if this procedure was in any way detrimental to your child, your pediatrician wouldn't be recommending it. Nonetheless, if you have concerns, voice them to the pediatrician and have him/her talk to you about it. I think you'll feel better once your questions/concerns are voiced.

NOOOO. There is no reason why you have to have it done right away. Do some research. Read the Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert Sears. He explains all of the reasons why, for and against. You will not hurt your baby if you delay it for a bit, or forever. Ask them to do a titers test which will test your baby to see if they have enough antibodies against Hib. Maybe your baby does and doesn't need another shot anyways.

Please think twice and educate yourself. Your babies are counting on you to protect them.

Another good book by Dr. Stephaine Cave "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Childhood Vaccinations"

N.,
I am not sure what would be the after effects, if any, about taking that vaccine twice. But, now a days... with all that vaccine issue linked with autism I would recommend to do your homework on doing as much research as possible. But one thing I can tell you for sure! If I were you, I would change that Dr's office. I know nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes. But this kind of mistakes like the one your Dr's nurse did, could have caused harm. I would not trust to take my child there again. I might appear to be too paranoid, but when it comes to our children safety we need to make sure they are well taken care of by people who know what they're doing. just my opinion.

I hope your baby gets what he needs to get, and do research about taking the shot once again. Good luck

Sincerely,
P.

Oh, N.....that just sounds sooooooooooo wrong !!
What doctor's office is this ?? I would get a second or third opinion by just calling other pediatricians / doctors and asking them what they think you should do and if there should be any extra concerns at this time !!

Being here for 8 years, that is my biggest pet peeve, ...the damn medical industry !! You need to double and triple check their business and doctoral licenses.

I've had 3 of my 4 kids here in Nevada, since newborn, I have taken each of them to the same doctor, so it does feel like family. You have to get that 6th sense with people and businesses in this town.

Again, just my 2 cents ! Take Care !

If the your sons doctor was worried about it i would be more worried but because he called and didnt tell you to bring him back right away i would think that he is ok, i have never had that happen to me though, i would probably worrie too, good luck and sorry to hear that the nurse made a mistake like that

If you are paranoid start doing some research. You are basically hoping that nothing will occur but it very well may. It's like letting him play with a sleeping rattlesnake. Go to thinktwice.com or get The Sanctity of Human Blood by Tim O'Shea.

Hi N.,
Your son is fine. The dilutent which as others have suggested is just saline or sterile water so no adverse reaction for your child outside of having to get another shot. I run a medical practice and part of the skills test is to give an injection of saline - trust me after multiple shots of saline I can personally tell you there are no risks outside of the pain from the shot. It was an unfortunate error that the drug didn't get mixed and you should appreciate the fact that the nurse owned up to the error and that the Dr called to let you know. Now your child will have the opportunity to be fully vaccinated a very important part of his health. Good luck and take care.

Wait a month before having it done again.

I would simply ask your ped. what is in the water, or check the companys website. It is my understanding that the powder is the actual "vaccine stuff", and the liquid is probably sterile water, preservatives etc. I wouldn't worry too much, but wait longer if you are at all having issues with it. Or just skip it altogether, it is your call, dont let his dr. push you into anything you dont feel comfortable with. Good luck, and I'm a twin mama too!

I'm a Peds nurse and my guess is that it's sterile water or normal saline type solution. The best thing to do is to call the office, ask someone to get the liquid and tell you what it is. If it is one of the two above, then it's not a problem. If it's anything else, leave a message to talk to your doctor.

Dear N.,
You have every reason not to mention right to be parnoid about this!!
Contact:
Dr. Rima Laibow Medical Director of the Health Freedom Organization. Her direct email address is:
____@____.com
This is exactly the kind of thing "The Health Freedom Organization" fights for!!
Check out their web site at: healthfreedomusa.org
Best of Luck to You!!!
C. S.

You should be nervous. Don't do it. There are excellent doctors out there that do not vaccinate. It is a choice. You can no longer sue your doctor or pharma company for vaccine damages to your child. If your child dies or becomes permanently damaged, you will get no help from the AMA (american medical association). Google vaccines ingredients, I promise you, you will be horrified.