Public Health Flu Clinics Not Using Suspended Agriflu or FluAd Vaccines
Written by admin, October 27, 2012
October 27, 2012 – Only Fluviral and Vaxigrip Vaccines Provided to Local Residents
Following Health Canada’s announcement yesterday that two vaccine brands, Agriflu and FluAd, have been suspended for use in Canada pending further investigation, Peterborough Public Health has confirmed that these brands were never used in community flu clinics.
“I want to reassure all local residents that Public Health is only providing Vaxigrip and Fluviral brand influenza vaccines at its community flu clinics and not the two suspended brands,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “Our flu clinics remain open for business and we encourage everyone, especially families with young children and those in contact with seniors to get immunized. The Vaxigrip and Fluviral vaccines are safe and remain the best way to protect yourself and others from spreading the flu virus.”
The Public Health has already alerted healthcare providers about Health Canada’s suspension of the Agriflu and FluAd vaccine brands so they will not be given to patients.
Agriflu and Fluad are two of the seasonal flu vaccines produced by Novartis that have been pulled from use in several European countries pending further examination of white floating material discovered clumping in the vaccines. As a precautionary step, Health Canada asked Novartis to suspend distribution of the vaccines in Canada until a full review of the situation is completed. The Public Health Agency of Canada is also recommending that health care professionals in possession of these vaccines refrain from using them until the review is complete.
The Public Health’s community flu clinic today at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre is open and running smoothly.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391