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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MINSA) has warned that the use of two influenza vaccines in Singapore be “temporarily suspended” as a precautionary measure after deaths were reported in South Korea following vaccinations.
South Korean health authorities said they have not found a direct link between the deaths and flu vaccines.
“This is a precautionary measure after the deaths reported after influenza vaccination in South Korea,” the Health Ministry said in a press release on Sunday (October 25).
“To date, no deaths associated with influenza vaccination have been reported in Singapore.”
Dozens of South Koreans died this month after receiving flu shots as part of a state vaccination program. As of Saturday, 48 deaths had been reported.
On Sunday, the Health Ministry said the ministry and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) were monitoring the situation closely.
“The HSA is in contact with South Korean authorities for more information as they investigate to determine if the deaths are related to flu vaccines.
“According to information released by the South Korean health authorities, seven brands of influenza vaccines were administered to the people involved in the reported deaths in South Korea,” the ministry said.
Two of the seven brands are available in Singapore, the Ministry of Health added.
They are SKYCellflu Quadrivalent, manufactured by SK Bioscience and distributed locally by AJ Biologics; and VaxigripTetra, manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur and distributed locally by Sanofi Aventis.
“As a precautionary measure, while HSA assesses the implications of the deaths reported in South Korea, the Ministry of Health has informed healthcare providers and physicians to temporarily stop the use of these two vaccines,” the ministry said.
He added: “Healthcare providers and physicians can continue to use the other two influenza vaccines that have been brought to Singapore for the 2020/21 Northern Hemisphere influenza season.”
“GENERALLY SAFE AND WELL-TOLERED” FLU VACCINE
The Health Ministry said that people who were recommended to receive the influenza vaccine can continue to receive their vaccine with other brands of vaccines.
This included those recommended to receive the vaccine under the National Childhood Vaccination Program and the National Adult Vaccination Program.
The ministry added that the vaccine provides protection against seasonal influenza viruses and is effective in reducing the risk of complications and deaths from influenza.
“This is especially true for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the young, pregnant women and those with certain pre-existing medical conditions,” he said.
“Flu vaccination is generally safe and well tolerated.”
The ministry said that common side effects of flu vaccination can include pain and redness at the injection site, fever, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue and nausea.
“These side effects are generally mild and resolve on their own. On rare occasions, a person may experience a high fever or severe allergic reactions (such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and swelling around the eyes) and should seek immediate medical attention.” said the Health Ministry. He said.
He added that vaccines approved for use in Singapore have been evaluated by the HSA to ensure they meet “required international standards for quality, safety and efficacy.”
“To ensure that the benefits continue to outweigh the risks, the HSA monitors the safety of vaccines through an adverse event monitoring system.
“It relies on the network of local health professionals and international regulatory counterparts to detect adverse events that are suspected of being associated with vaccines,” the Ministry of Health said.
The ministry said it will continue to assess the situation as more information and advice becomes available on the use of the affected vaccines.
