Pfizer recalls Prevnar pneumococcal vaccine

[February 29, 2012]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Drugmaker Pfizer Inc. is recalling one lot of its blockbuster vaccine against pneumococcal disease, Prevnar 13.

Pfizer says the lot is being recalled from a drug wholesaler because Pfizer found the active ingredient was past its expiration date. The company says none was distributed to health care providers.

Prevnar 13 protects against 13 strains of pneumococcal bacteria, which can cause meningitis, pneumonia and ear infections. Prevnar 13 is an improved version of Prevnar, the top-selling vaccine in history. The two versions had about $4.1 billion in sales last year.

Pfizer says it doesn't think the doses being recalled pose any safety or efficacy concerns.

The lot number is F73652. The New York company couldn't immediately say how many doses are in the lot.

[Associated Press]

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