Ministry denies link, launches an inquiry
Bangkok Post
January 29, 2010
H1N1 flu vaccinations among pregnant women have been suspended after a woman who received a jab lost her baby to miscarriage a day later.
The Public Health Ministry yesterday denied any link between the vaccinations and the foetal death, but as a precaution suspended flu shots among pregnant women pending an investigation into the miscarriage in the southern province of Satun.
It said it would press ahead with a plan for an H1N1 vaccination campaign aimed at high risk groups despite concerns about possible side-effects.
“There’s no substantiated report of H1N1 vaccine having a harmful effect on pregnant women,” Public Health permanent secretary Paijit Warachit said yesterday. “The product is certified and safe for use.”
Over 6,000 pregnant women have received the vaccination, imported from the French company Sanofi Pasteur, under a national campaign to tackle the mortality rate caused by type-A (H1N1) influenza among high-risk groups including pregnant women.
The 39-year-old woman lost her baby during the 24th week of pregnancy in Satun’s Thung Wa district on Monday, only a day after she was given a flu shot.
An investigation into the miscarriage at Songkhlanagarind Hospital is under way and the results are expected within a week, Dr Paijit said.
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