2012-2013 winter flu vaccination campaign

[Janet]

The flu jab campaign has been suspended because of a "pharmaceutical alert" which was raised because white floating protein particles were discovered in some batches of the vaccine. Delivery of the batches has been halted, with the vaccine kept in optimum conditions so that the campaign can be resumed if the particles are found to be harmless. Sanidad stressed that of those who have already been vaccinated, no adverse reaction has been noted. If the campaign has to be definitively stopped, Sanidad says that some eight autonomous regions will be left without vaccine cover. In such a case, a flu epidemic cannot be ruled out. The Canarian Government is working with the Ministerio de Sanidad and the Agencia del Medicamento to acquire other doses from alternative laboratories, and if these can be acquired, those at particular risk will be prioritized.  JA

[Michael]

How come there hasn't been anything like this in the UK? 

[Janet]

There was some problem, where the distributors themselves put a stop on deliveries, but I forget the details .....

[Nova]

"unexpected result" I think.....

[Janet]

Sanidad could authorize the use of the vaccines stored in the Canaries after Canada and Switzerland have lifted their temporary halt and started to use their own. It seems that checks carried out show that the particles do not present any health risks. The director general de Salud Pública del Gobierno de Canarias, José Díaz Flores, said that the situation is changing day to day, and if the go-ahead is given, there will be 250,000 vaccines here for immediate use, to which will be added tens of thousands being sent from other autonomous regions. One way or another, he said, there will be vaccines next week. JA

[Janet]

 Some 46,000 flu vaccines arrived in the Canaries today and Sanidad says that the flu vaccination campaign will resume on Thursday once the supplies have been distributed to health centres. JA