The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL, in Finnish Terveyden ja Hyvinvoinnin Laitos) has recommended that vaccination against swine influenza virus H1N1 by the administration of Pandemrix be suspended. The vaccine can not be used until it is verified the existence of a correlation with the increase in the number of cases of narcolepsy in the country.
The THL said that the recommendation is a precautionary measure. At the time, he stresses, in the country there is no outbreak of swine flu that requires an urgent vaccination campaign against the virus.
"were found indications of a temporal link between vaccinations and some cases of narcolepsy, but has not been established any real correlation. Considering the information circulated at the international level, a connection would seem unlikely, "said Dr. Hanna Nohynek, a researcher at THL.
You can admit exceptions to the name of THL, if necessary. For example, the vaccine could be given to those who must travel to an area that is undergoing an epidemic of swine flu.
Experts to gather
If necessary, a final decision on a national scale with regard to the vaccination program against swine flu will be taken by the Minister of Social Affairs and Health. This decision will be taken if the reported cases of narcolepsy are associated with the vaccine beyond doubt.
The group coordinating investigations on cases reported to meet next Tuesday (August 31, 2010, ndt) to make an overall assessment of the situation. This group includes experts from the THL, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the National Agency for Medicines and Valvira, the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health, and representatives of provincial authorities.
According to what the THL, the increase in the number of cases of narcolepsy may be caused by the influenza virus, the vaccine, the interaction of infection with the vaccine, or some other factor. It is a known fact that infections can cause narcolepsy.
At
THL have been reported 15 cases of narcolepsy, six of which are more readily associated with the vaccine than to any other cause. The preliminary research on the correlation between the vaccine and the other cases will last several months. In Finland are diagnosed up to 50 cases of narcolepsy and about a dozen per year among children.
Worldwide, at least 90 million people in over 20 countries were vaccinated with the Pandemrix. However, until now, a possible link between the swine flu vaccine and episodes of narcolepsy has been reported only in Finland and Sweden.
Source Comedonchisciotte
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