About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Initial Tests of Contamination in Italy Flu Vaccine Turns Out Negative

by Anirudh on December 2, 2014 at 12:54 PM
Font : A-A+

 Initial Tests of Contamination in Italy Flu Vaccine Turns Out Negative

Initial testing had ruled out contamination of Novartis flu vaccine that has allegedly claimed 19 lives who had recently taken. The Italian Pharmaceutical Agency (AIFA) also said that initial testing had ruled out contamination of two batches of the drug which were taken out of circulation last week.

Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin said the initial tests had allowed authorities to breathe a "sigh of relief" but confirmed that tests were continuing to completely rule out any causal link between the vaccine and the fatalities.

Advertisement

AIFA said the 19 reported deaths followed vaccinations from a total of eight batches of the drug made by the Swiss pharmaceuticals giant.

The two batches tested so far were linked last week to the deaths of two women, aged 79 and 87, and a 68-year-old man, all in the south of the country.
Advertisement

AIFA and the Higher Health Institute said the additional cases notified to them were probably the result of media coverage of the first cases and urged the elderly in particular to ensure they got protection against seasonal flu, which kills 8,000 people a year in Italy.

In a bid to reassure the public, AIFA Director General Luca Pani had the vaccine administered to himself on television station RAI Uno on Monday.

Novartis has said there is no evidence to link the deaths to the vaccine, which has been in use since 1997 and of which 65 million doses have been given to people around the world.

Source: AFP
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest Drug News

 India's First Urinary Incontinence Drug Launched
India's First Urinary Incontinence Drug Fesobig may offer Affordable treatment for Overactive Bladder (OAB), a widely prevalent problem among Indian men and women.
 New Ray of Hope for Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Kidney Disease
Oral anticoagulant drugs, particularly Rivaroxaban presented superior efficacy and safety than warfarin in atrial fibrillation patients with chronic kidney disease.
Anti-viral Drug Bulevirtide Helps Treat Chronic Hepatitis D
Patients with hepatitis D virus-related chronic advanced liver disease are treated with an antiviral therapy.
Antiviral Drug Paxlovid Linked to Lower Risk of Hospital Admission
Among people with COVID-19, Paxlovid drug was found to reduce hospitalization and death risk by 90%, revealed study.
Price Cap Move Will Place Eli Lilly Strongly in Insulin Market
Lilly will likely maintain or increase its market share in the insulin space as the average out-of-pocket cost for its insulin products is already below the $35 price cap.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Initial Tests of Contamination in Italy Flu Vaccine Turns Out Negative Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests