DOH Ensures Public Flu Vaccines at HP Are Safe

The Department of Health (DOH) assured the public that influenza vaccines in the country are safe for use amid concerns raised about such vaccines in Singapore and South Korea.

DOH Health Promotion and Communication Service Director Dr. Beverly Ho said they are conducting regular surveillance of flu vaccines.

“At this time, there are no reports of AEFI (post-vaccination adverse events) with the influenza vaccine in the country,” Ho said during an online forum.

“The FDA has also verified the batches and batches that are being investigated in Korea and Singapore and none are found here. So our flu vaccines are safe… ”he added.

According to a Reuters report, 48 people died in South Korea after receiving flu shots, adding that the vaccination program would continue “as they found no direct link between the deaths and the vaccines.”

Meanwhile, Singapore’s health authorities halted the use of two vaccines – SKYCellflu Quadrivalent and VaxigripTetra as a precautionary measure following reports of adverse health effects in South Korea, according to the Reuters report.

However, Ho said they will continue to monitor the supply of flu vaccines in the country.

“We will continue to monitor and issue future warnings if it will ever be necessary for future instances,” he said.
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