Vaccine suspected in allergic reactions cleared

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Vaccine suspected in allergic reactions cleared

Updated Mon. Mar. 3 2008 1:17 PM ET

The Canadian Press

OTTAWA -- Health Canada has cleared several lots of mumps vaccine that came into

question when six young people in Alberta had severe allergic reactions last

fall.

The reactions, usually very rare, caused the province to suspend its vaccination

program for young people between the ages of 17 and 26.

Health Canada's review found no connection between the allergic reactions and

three related lots of mumps, measles and rubella vaccine produced by Merck

Frosst.

Alberta had purchased about 200,000 of the 250,000 doses from the three lots.

The decision not to use the vaccine until it was investigated severely limited

supply at a time when Alberta was battling a mumps outbreak at post-secondary

schools.

Health Canada says it will continue to monitor use of the vaccine, but provinces

and territories are now free to use it for both adults and children.

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