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SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Singapore temporarily halted the use of two flu vaccines as a precaution after some people who received them died in South Korea, becoming one of the first countries to publicly announce the cessation of use of the vaccines.
South Korea reported 48 had died as of Saturday after receiving flu shots, but said it would continue with the state vaccination program as they found no direct link between the deaths and the vaccines.
To date, no deaths associated with influenza vaccination have been reported in Singapore, but the decision to stop the use of SKYCellflu Quadrivalent and VaxigripTetra was a precaution, said the Ministry of Health and Health Sciences Authority (HAS ) in a statement Sunday night.
The HSA is in contact with South Korean authorities for more information as they investigate to determine whether the deaths are related to flu vaccines.
SKYCellflu Quadrivalent is manufactured by SK Bioscience of South Korea and distributed locally by AJ Biologics, while VaxigripTetra is manufactured by Sanofi and distributed locally by Sanofi Aventis.
Two other influenza vaccines that have been brought to Singapore for the 2020/21 Northern Hemisphere influenza season may continue to be used, Singapore health authorities said.
Report of Aradhana Aravindan in Singapore; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Richard Chang
