Novartis influenza vaccine
suspension lifted
VICTORIA
– Health Canada has announced that it has lifted the temporary precautionary
suspension on all Novartis influenza vaccine products in Canada.
After
extensive consultation with Novartis, and public health and regulatory
officials in Italy and Switzerland, as well as its own product assessments,
Health Canada has determined that there are no safety concerns with any
Novartis vaccine products in Canada or British Columbia.
With
this release for use, all Fluad and Agriflu products currently distributed
across health authorities in B.C. will be put back into use in public influenza
vaccine campaigns. That campaign is now underway throughout the province.
Novartis products represent about 30 per cent of the provincial vaccine supply.
Both
Fluad and Agriflu, influenza vaccines manufactured in Italy by Novartis, had
been pulled from vaccine campaigns in Canada and some European countries
following reports of clumping noted in a specific vaccine batch; that batch was
not released for use. Similar clumping has not been discovered in any vaccine
distributed in Canada. The Canadian suspension was a purely precautionary
measure. All vaccine products received in Canada have passed Health Canada
safety inspections.
Influenza
can be a serious illness. Each year thousands of Canadians die from its complications
– most of them seniors or those with compromised immune systems or underlying
health conditions. The flu vaccine is safe for use and is the best way to
prevent illness from the virus.
British
Columbians can get vaccinated at a variety of locations – from dedicated flu
clinics, to public health units, family physicians and pharmacists. To find a
flu clinic near you, visit the flu clinic locator at: www.immunizebc.ca
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