Merck & Co. has recalled about 1 million doses of the children's Hib vaccine after finding bacteria on the equipment used to make the vaccine in the company's West Point, Penn. manufacturing plant. Merck has recalled 12 lots of the PedvaxHIB and Comvax vaccines that were shipped starting in April 2007.

The children's Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine is used to protect children from meningitis, pneumonia, and other serious bacterial infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the Hib vaccine for all children under 5 years old in the U.S.

Federal health officials said that the recalled vaccines are fully potent and children do not need to be revaccinated. Parents should look for signs of infection at the site of the inoculation days after the injection, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said. Signs to look for include skin bumps or abscesses. Any problems would appear within a few days of injection; after a week, problems are unlikely, according to the CDC.

Hib vaccines made by other companies are not included in the recall.

For a list of the recalled vaccines with lot numbers and expiration dates, visit: http://www.fda.gov/cber/recalls/merckhib121107.htm.

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