Compiled By Arthur M. Evangelista, a former FDA Investigator
Posted: 28 May 2004

VACCINE INGREDIENTS

Source: 1997 Physicians' Desk Reference

Toll Free Numbers can be called to obtain product inserts.

This is a representative, not a comprehensive, list of the various types of vaccines.

Acel-Immune DTaP

Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed

Lederle Laboratories  1-800-934-5556

    produced using formaldehyde, thimerosal, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate, polysorbate 80, gelatin (animal parts/bovine)

Act HIB

Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate

Connaught Laboratories 1-800-822-2463

    produced using ammonium sulfate, formalin, sucrose, thimerosal

    medium: semi-synthetic

Attenuvax

Measles Virus Vaccine Live

Merck & Co, Inc.  1-800-672-6372

    produced using neomycin, sorbitol, hydrolized gelatin

    medium: chick embryo

DPT

Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed

SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals  1-800-366-8900 ext. 5231

    produced using aluminum phosphate, formaldehyde, ammonium sulfate, washed sheep red blood cells, glycerol, sodium chloride, thimerosal

    medium: porcine (pig) pancreatic hydrolysate of casein

Energix-B

Hepatitis B

SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals  1-800-633-8900 ext. 5231

    produced using aluminum hydroxide, thimerosal

    medium: yeast (possibly 5% residual)

Havrix

Hepatitis A

SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals  1-800-633-8900 ext. 5231

    produced using formalin, aluminum hydroxide, phenoxyethanol (antifreeze), polysorbate 20, residual MRC5 proteins (from medium)

    medium: human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue)

Biavax

Rubella and Mumps Virus Vaccine Live

Merck & Co, Inc.  1-800-672-6372

    produced using neomycin, sorbitol, hydrolized gelatin

    medium: human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue)

HibTiter

Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib)

Lederle Laboratories  1-800-934-5556

    produced using polyribosylribitol, ammonium sulfate, thimerosal

    medium: chemically defined, yeast based

Fluvirin

Influenza Virus Vaccine

Medeva Pharmaceuticals  1-888-MEDEVA  (716)274-5300

    produced using embryonic fluid (chicken egg), neomycin, polymyxin, thimerosal, betapropiolactone

    medium: embryonic fluid (chicken egg)

FluShield

Influenza Virus Vaccine, Trivalent, Types A&B

Wyeth-Ayerst  1-800-934-5556

    produced using gentamicin sulfate, formaldehyde, polysorbate 80, tri(n)butylphosphate, thimerosal

    medium: chick embryos

IPOL

Inactivated Polio Vaccine

Connaught Laboratories  1-800-822-2463

    produced using 3 types of polio virus, formaldehyde, phenoxyethanol (antifreeze), neomycin, streptomycin, polymyxin B

    medium: VERO cells, a continuous line of monkey kidney cells

MMR

Measles Mumps Rubella Live Virus Vaccine

Merck & Co., Inc.  1-800-672-6372

    produced using sorbitol, neomycin, hydrolyzed gelatin

    mediums: M&M - chick embryo

    Rubella - human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue)

M-R-Vax

Measles and Rubella Virus Vaccine Live

Merck & Co., Inc.  1-800-672-6372

    produced using neomycin, sorbitol, hydrolyzed gelatin

    mediums: M - chick embryo

    R - human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue)

Menomune

Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine

Connaught Laboratories  1-800-822-2463

    produced using thimerosal, lactose

    medium: freeze dried polysaccharride antigens from Neisseria Meningitidis

Meruvax II

Rubella Virus Vaccine Live

Merck & Co., Inc.  1-800-672-6372

    produced using neomycin, sorbitol, hydrolyzed gelatin

    medium: human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue)

Mumpsvax

Mumps Virus Vaccine Live

Merck & Co., Inc.  1-800-672-6372

    produced using neomycin, sorbitol, hydrolyzed gelatin

    medium: human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue)

Orimune

Poliovirus Vaccine Live Oral Trivalent

Lederle Laboratories  1-800-934-5556

    produced using 3 types of attenuated polioviruses, streptomycin, neomycin, calf serum, sorbitol

    medium: monkey kidney cell culture

Pneumovax

Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent

Merck & Co., Inc.  1-800-672-6372

    produced using phenol and capsular polysaccharides from the 23 most prevalent pneumococcal types

Imovax

Rabies Vaccine Adsorbed

Connaught Laboratories  1-800-822-2463

    produced using human albumin, neomycin sulfate, phenol red indicator

    medium: human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue)

Rabies Vaccine Adsorbed

SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals  1-800-366-8900 ext. 5231

    produced using betapropiolactone, aluminum phosphate, sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate (thimerosal), phenol red

    medium: fetal rhesus monkey lung cells

Recombivax

Hepatitis B Vaccine Recombinant

Merck & Co., Inc.  1-800-672-6372

    produced using thimerosal, aluminum hydroxide

    medium: yeast (residual < 1% yeast protein)

RotaShield

Rotavirus Vaccine, Live, Oral, Tetravalent

Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories  1-800-934-5556

    produced using 1 rhesus monkey rotavirus, 3 rhesus-human reassortant viruses, sucrose, monosodium glutamate (MSG),
                                   potassium monophosphate, potassium diphosphate, fetal bovine serum, neomycin sulfate, amphotericin B

    medium: fetal rhesus diploid cell line

Varivax

Varicella Virus Vaccine Live

Merck & Co., Inc.  1-800-672-6372

    produced using sucrose, phosphate, glutamate, processed gelatin

    medium: human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue)

Chemical Profiles and Definitions

visit http://www.scorecard.org/ to investigate chemical profiles

Sources: EDF (Environmental Defense Fund) & MME (Mosby's Medical Encyclopedia)

Ammonium Sulfate: EDF Suspected - gastrointestinal or liver toxicant, neurotoxicant, respiratory toxicant

Amphotericin B: MME definintion - "a drug used to treat fungus infections. Known allergy to this drug prohibits use. Side effects include blood clots,
                                                                    blood defects, kidney problems, nausea and fever. When used on the skin, allergic reactions can occur."

Aluminum: EDF Suspected - cardiovascular, or blood toxicant, neurotoxicant, respiratory toxicant.
                      More hazardous than most chemicals in 2 out of 6 ranking systems. 
                      On at least 2 federal regulatory lists.

Beta-Propiolactone: EDF Recognized - carcinogen
                                       EDF Suspected - gastrointestinal or liver toxicant; respiratory toxicant; skin or sense organ toxicant.
                                       More hazardous than most chemicals in 3 out of 3 ranking systems.
                                       On at least 5 federal regulatory lists ranked as one of the most hazardous compounds (worst 10%) to humans.

Formaldehyde: EDF Recognized - carcinogen
                              Suspected - gastrointestinal or liver toxicant; immunotoxicant, neurotoxicant, reproductive toxicant; respiratory toxicant;
                                                      skin or sense organ toxicant.
                              More hazardous than most chemicals in 5 out of 12 ranking systems.
                              On at least 8 federal regulatory lists ranked as one of the most hazardous compounds (worst 10%) to ecosystems and human health.

Gentamicin Sulfate: an antibiotic

Hydrolyzed Gelatin: obtained from selected pieces of calf and cattle skins, de-mineralized cattle bones (ossein) and porkskin.

Neomycin: an antibiotic

Phenol : EDF Suspected - cardiovascular or blood toxicant aka Carbolic Acid - developmental toxicant, gastrointestinal or liver toxicant kidney toxicant,
                                                  neurotoxicant respiratory toxicant, skin or sense organ toxicant.
                 More hazardous than most chemicals in 3 out of 10 ranking systems.
                 On at least 8 federal regulatory lists.

Phenoxyethanol: EDF Suspected - developmental toxicant, reproductive toxicant (aka: Antifreeze).
                                  Less hazardous than most chemicals in 3 ranking systems.

Polyribosylribitol: a component of the Hib bacterium

Polymyxin: an antibiotic

Polysorbate: EDF Suspected - skin or sense organ toxicant

Sorbitol: EDF Suspected - gastrointestinal or liver toxicant.
                  Less hazardous than most chemicals in 1 ranking system.

Streptomycin: an antibiotic

Sucrose: refined sugar

Thimerosal: EDF Recognized - developmental toxicant. Suspected - skin or sense organ toxicant.

Tri(n)butylphosphate: EDF Suspected - kidney toxicant neurotoxicant.
                                           More hazardous than most chemicals in 2 out of 3 ranking systems.
                                          On at least 1 federal regulatory list.

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