H1N1 vaccine withdrawn from Canada due to severe allergic reactions
One batch of the H1N1 vaccine manufactured in Ontario by GlaxoSmithKline and distributed in several provinces in Canada turned out to cause higher than normal allergic reactions, which forced health officials in Canada to withdraw approximately 170,000 doses of the vaccine.
Canadian health officials reported 6 patients who showed severe allergic reactions to an H1N1 vaccine distributed in the country, which originated from a batch produced by the British drug-maker, GlaxoSmithKline, in Ontario, considering it higher than usual number, when only one or two allergic reactions are expected for a batch of 100,000 doses.
As a result, the Canadian health officials started withdrawing about 170,000 doses of the vaccine from a total of 172,000 of the Arepanrix vaccine; however, GlaxoSmithKline said in a statement that the recall was only a precaution one, and that they will investigate more to see whether there was something wrong with the batch or not.
Anaphylaxis is what the vaccine triggered; manifested by breathing problems, swelling of the throat, tongue, lips and eyes and low blood pressure, which in some cases could be fatal. Fortunately, the six patients who experienced the allergic reactions have recovered.
Health officials reassured citizens that if they did not suffer any immediate allergic reaction they have nothing to worry about. Yet, several deaths around the world are believed to be linked to the swine flu vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine side effects are supposed to be brief and local.