GlaxoSmithKline PLC advised healthcare workers in Canada not to use one batch of swine flu vaccine because of possible life-threatening allergies…
By Militza Richard
According to GlaxoSmithKline spokeswoman Gwenan White, the company advised pulling the batch after reports of higher than normal occurrences of a side effect called anaphylaxis, which can include swollen tongues, throats and respiratory distress.
"We have advised health care professionals not to use that batch while health authorities and GlaxoSmithKline investigate," said White.
The batch of 172,000 doses had been distributed throughout Canada, but it is unclear how many doses from that batch had been given out before Glaxo advised that it be pulled. According to White, the company has distributed a total of 7.5 million doses of swine flu vaccine in Canada.
In the wake of the Glaxo’s advice, Japanese officials say they will travel to Canada early next month to investigate the decision, according to the Asahi newspaper.
However, there is currently no change in Japan’s plan to import enough of Glaxo’s flu vaccine to cover 37 million people said Glaxo spokesman Yoshiaki Komatsu. He added that a local study has not shown any serious side effects.
British GlaxoSmithKline is the world's second largest drug maker by revenue. Its swine flu vaccine was approved for use in the US earlier this month.
For more information about Glaxo’s US swine flu vaccine, take a look at Healthcare Digital’s story Glaxo wins FDA approval to sell swine flu vaccine in US
Edited by Sarah Wolfe