Meningitis vaccine recall over S. aureus contamination

Switzerland-based drug major Novartis has issued a product recall for 21,000 doses of its Menjugate Kit, a meningitis C conjugate vaccine,  after samples from two batches were found to be contaminated with  Stapphyloccocus aureus. The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products  Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued a class 2 drug alert for the product,  which is manufactured in Italy by Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Srl.

The MHRA stressed that the recall was a precaution and that no samples  in the UK had been found to be contaminated. Steve Dayman, chief  executive of Meningitis UK, a non-profit group, told the public  broadcaster, the BBC: "while this is worrying, we're pleased to hear  that Novartis is making every effort to recall the kit and investigate  the root cause of the positive sterility test."

Mr Dayman also stated that "Novartis has a reputation of being a safe  provider of vaccines" and noted the company's contribution to a 90% fall  in meningitis C deaths in the UK in the past 10 years.