Japanese Health Ministry Suspends Use of Meningitis Vaccines After Four Deaths

The Japanese health ministry revealed that it has temporarily suspended the use of two vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Sanofi-Aventis SA

The Japanese health ministry revealed that it has temporarily suspended the use of two vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Sanofi-Aventis SA after they were found to have caused the deaths of four children.

The vaccines were a part of a nationwide immunization program in which more than a million children were vaccinated.

Meningitis - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs
Meninges are the three layers of membrane that cover the brain and infection of the cerebrospinal fluid between them causes meningitis the disease of the meninges.

However four children died within three days of getting vaccinated with either Pfizer’s Prevenar or Sanof's ActHIB with both the vaccines used against meningitis and pneumonia.

The health ministry said that the vaccines have been suspended until the deaths have been investigated with both the drug makers stating that they will be providing full co-operation to the investigations.

Hib Vaccine - Types, Dosage Schedule, Contraindications and Side Effects
The Hib vaccine protects children against infections like meningitis and pneumonia that are caused by the Haemophilus influenzae type b bacterium.

Source-Medindia

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