A journal called “javma” — a veterinarians’ publication — is carrying the below item, for its June 15, 2010 print edition (available in advance here on the web):
. . .Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has recalled PreveNile®, a vaccine intended for the prevention of West Nile virus infection in horses, after identifying an increase in the incidence of adverse events related to the product currently in the market. . . .
[There have been] reports of acute anaphylaxis, gastrointestinal signs, respiratory distress, and death following vaccination with PreveNile alone or in combination with other vaccines. PreveNile will not be available while the company investigates. . . .
The recall encompasses all serial numbers of PreveNile in both one- and five-dose vials. The eight-digit serial numbers start with 9166 and end with 9001 through 9016 and 0001 through 0004.
Veterinarians with these PreveNile products should contact their distributor to arrange for the products’ return and a credit. . . .
I’ll keep you posted, but equine vaccines are a pretty big portion of Intervet’s appeal — in the proposed contribution of Intervet, to the New Merial joint venture between Sanofi and New Merck. In that regard, the European markets for these equine vaccines, generally, are already pretty highly-concentrated (and will be more so, if Intervet can’t fix this likely manufacturing/purity issue). So, I’ll also keep an eye on the ECC, as well.
