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In response to media enquiries on reports of four suspected deaths following influenza vaccination in Israel, a spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) said the department is aware of the reports and has taken immediate follow-up action.
"The department has written to the Israeli authorities and the concerned vaccine manufacturer to seek more information and to check whether the same lot of vaccine has been shipped to Hong Kong."
"The vaccine manufacturer replied today that the lot of influenza vaccines supplied to Israel is different from that imported to Hong Kong," he said.
The Department notes that so far, no country besides Israel has reported recently unusual deaths following influenza vaccination using vaccines from the concerned manufacturer.
The spokesman noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not issued any advice against the use of influenza vaccines at this point.
"DH will continue to monitor the situation closely and take note of further advice from WHO and overseas health authorities. We will inform doctors and the public of any new developments and update advice," he added.
Inactivated influenza vaccine has good safety record. In general the vaccine is well tolerated. Immediate allergic reactions occur rarely after vaccination and severe adverse reactions or deaths are very uncommon.
Ends/Monday, October 23, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:20
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