BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Nov 2 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): The batch of Vaxigrip Tetra used in the Republic of Korea has not been distributed in any other country and therefore has never been imported into Brunei, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said yesterday.
The MoH stated this in a release following reports of deaths in the Republic of Korea due to mass influenza immunisation.
The MoH added while Brunei imports and uses Vaxigrip Tetra manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur France, which is one of the seven brands of influenza vaccines used in the Republic of Korea, the batch of Vaxigrip Tetra used in the Republic of Korea has never been in Brunei.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has investigated the matter and has reported no direct link between the deaths with the usage of the affected influenza vaccine brands. Most deaths involved people in their 70s and 80s. The autopsies showed that deaths were from other serious chronic health conditions like cardiovascular and cerebral vascular diseases.
The MoH assured that there has never been any reported death associated with the influenza vaccine in Brunei.
The influenza vaccination provides protection against seasonal influenza viruses, and is effective in reducing the risk of complications and deaths due to influenza, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the young, pregnant women and those with certain pre-existing medical conditions.
The Korean health authorities to date have not suspended its flu vaccination programme and continue to monitor and investigate the matter. Brunei Darussalam’s MoH will also continue to monitor the situation closely, and liaise with the pertinent authorities as well as vaccine manufacturers.
Based on current available information and feedback from the Western Pacific Regional Office, World Health Organisation, the MoH has concluded that there is no need to cease the use of Vaxigrip Tetra in Brunei.
The MoH recommended the public to continue having influenza vaccination, especially the vulnerable group. The public is advised to inform their healthcare giver if they have any allergy to hen eggs before receiving vaccination or have experienced any allergic reactions after receiving the influenza vaccine injection.
The MoH will continue to closely monitor the global influenza vaccine situation and will keep the public updated on new developments, the statement added.
Brunei also reported no new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday (Oct 31) with the national tally of cases standing at 148.
It marked the 10th consecutive day without new cases since Oct 22, when the country recorded an imported case from Kuala Lumpur.
According to Brunei's Ministry of Health, no more recoveries were recorded, maintaining the total number of recovered cases at 144. There is still one active case being treated at the National Isolation Centre
Meanwhile, there are 280 individuals who are undergoing mandatory isolation at the monitoring centers provided by the government, who have arrived in the country after traveling abroad.
There have been three deaths from Covid-19 in the country. - Borneo Bulletin/Asian News Network
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