PandemicPreparedness

2 November: Following further review of the quality and safety profiles of the two influenza vaccines – SKYCellflu Quadrivalent and VaxigripTetra, Singaporean authorities have advised resumption of the vaccines from 31 October. For the press release, click here.

26 October: The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are strengthening surveillance in response to reports of adverse reactions, including at least 56 fatalities, after receiving seasonal flu vaccination. See Press Release 26 October. So far, over 9 million people have been vaccinated through the national programme, with millions more through the private system. There are seven brands of seasonal flu vaccine in use.

The Vaccination Injury Investigation Team reviewed the adverse events and found no direct causality between the deaths and the vaccinations. The 46 deaths reviewed so far were due to underlying existing health issues, such as cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, lung and heart disease. People who died had received one of 37 vaccination lot numbers from the seven brands of vaccines, making it unlikely that the deaths are linked.

It was therefore recommended that the government vaccination campaign be continued, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and potentially poor outcomes associated with co-infection. Investigations are ongoing. The authorities advise "Retesting of discontinuation of vaccines will be considered in the future if two or more severe adverse events (such as death) occur from the same lot number and the causality between the adverse event and immunization cannot be excluded."

Singaporean authorities have temporarily stopped the use of two brands of seasonal flu vaccines in Singapore -SKYCellflu Quadrivalent and VaxigripTetra. See the Singapore Ministry of Health Press Release. "No deaths associated with influenza vaccination have been reported in Singapore to date. MOH and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) are monitoring the situation closely. "