The Department of Health (DOH) assured the public that the influenza vaccines in the country are safe for use amid concerns raised on such vaccines in Singapore and South Korea.
DOH Health Promotion and Communication Service Director Dr. Beverly Ho said that they are conducting regular surveillance on flu vaccines.
"As of this time there's no reported AEFI (adverse events following immunization) with flu vaccine in the country," said Ho during an online forum.
"The FDA has also checked the lots and batches that are being investigated in Korea and Singapore and none are found here. So, our flu vaccines are safe...," she added.
According to a report from Reuters, 48 people died in South Korea after receiving flu shots, adding that the vaccination program would still continue “as they found no direct link between the deaths and the shots.”
Meanwhile, health authorities in Singapore halted the use of two vaccines: SKYCellflu Quadrivalent and VaxigripTetra as a precautionary measure following reports of adverse health effects in South Korea, the Reuters report said.
Nevertheless, Ho said that they will continue to monitor the provision of flu vaccines in the country.
“We will continue to monitor and issue future warnings if ever it will be needed for future instances,” she said.
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