Japan stops using Pfizer and Sanofi vaccines for a few deaths

[Tonka]

http://economia.terra.com.co/noticias/noticia.aspx?idNoticia=201103071216_RTI_MAE7260GF
Spanish to English translation

Japan stops using Pfizer and Sanofi vaccines for a few deaths
March 7, 2011 ? 7:16 pm

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Japanese Ministry of Health has stopped using vaccines against meningitis and pneumonia, Pfizer and Sanofi-Aventis after the death of four children.
The babies died shortly after being vaccinated, and while it is not known whether the deaths are linked to vaccines, the use of Prevenar, Pfizer, and ActHIB, Sanofi, is suspended, the ministry said in a statement.
A committee of the ministry intends to investigate these cases on Tuesday.
In February last year, health officials in the Netherlands stated that there was no relationship between Prevenar and the deaths of three children who had received the vaccine.
Three of the children who died in Japan received Prevenar with ActHIB.
In addition, three of the children received a combined vaccine against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus, the same day they were given other vaccines.
Of the four children, three died one day after being immunized. The deaths occurred between March 2 and March 4.
Representatives from Pfizer and Sanofi in Tokyo said the companies are cooperating with the investigation.

 

[Tonka]

Re: Japan stops using Pfizer and Sanofi vaccines for a few deaths

http://www.publico.es/364995/eeuu-no-ve-problemas-con-vacunas-de-pfizer-y-sanofi
Spanish to Eng. translation

U.S. sees no problem with Pfizer and Sanofi vaccines
Reuters 07/03/2011 19:20 Updated: 03/07/2011 20:35

Health agencies in America "found no new security issues or unusual patterns" in children who received vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and Sanofi Aventis SA to prevent meningitis and pneumonia, an official said Monday.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA for its acronym in English) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention United States are aware of the death of four children in Japan, prompting authorities to suspend use of the country Prevenar, Pfizer, and ActHIB, Sanofi, said Shelly Burgess, spokesman for the FDA.

The agencies will continue to monitor vaccines for safety assessment in the United States, he added.