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SINGAPORE – Two flu vaccines, SKYCellflu Quadrivalent and VaxigripTetra, which had been suspended by authorities on October 25, can now be used again, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Saturday night (October 31).
The Health Ministry had previously called for a temporary cessation of the use of the vaccines after the people who received them in South Korea died.
In a statement Saturday, the Health Ministry said that, based on information released by South Korean health authorities on October 29, the probability that the vaccines caused the deaths was low.
Rather, the causes of death for 71 of the 72 people who died were most likely due to underlying diseases, while the latest case is still under investigation.
South Korean health authorities also found that no vaccine from any particular manufacturer was associated with higher rates of reported deaths than the others.
In the statement, the Ministry of Health said that the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) had reviewed local adverse event reports as well as global safety data for the two vaccines and found them consistent with the known safety profile. of flu vaccines in general.
The HSA also reviewed the test reports of all batches of the two vaccines supplied in Singapore and found that they meet quality standards.
The Health Ministry said healthcare providers here have already been told they can continue to offer these vaccines, as well as other vaccines available here for the 2020-2021 Northern Hemisphere influenza season.
However, the ministry acknowledged that, like any drug, flu vaccines can have side effects.
These include pain and redness at the injection site, fever, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, and nausea, which are usually mild and go away on their own.
But in rare cases, some people may experience a high fever or allergic reactions like shortness of breath, wheezing, and swelling around the eyes. In these cases, medical attention should be sought immediately.
“Influenza vaccination provides protection against seasonal influenza viruses and is effective in reducing the risk of complications and deaths due to influenza. This is especially true for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the young, pregnant women, people with certain pre-existing diseases. People who are recommended to receive the influenza vaccine are strongly advised to do so for their health and well-being, “said the Health Ministry.
He added that together with HSA, he will continue to monitor any concerns related to flu vaccination.
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