UK: Single vaccine 'safety' warnings

[Guest guest]

They're probably looking for a way to shut the private clinics down! This

would pave the way...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7689901.stm

Single vaccine 'safety' warnings

UK researchers have raised concerns over the monitoring of the safety of

single measles and rubella vaccines.

It comes after an unexpectedly high number of cases of anaphylactic shock

after single vaccines given at private clinics in south west England.

Although the figures are likely to be an anomaly, poor data on vaccines

given at private clinics is preventing proper scrutiny, they warn.

Anaphylaxis is rare, the Archives of Diseases in Childhood study stressed.

Public confidence in the triple MMR vaccine dipped following research -

since discredited - which raised the possibility that the jab may be linked

to an increased risk of autism.

It has been estimated that between 2000 and 2002, 5.2% of UK children were

vaccinated with single vaccines by private clinics.

Four cases of anaphylaxis after single vaccines were referred to the team in

Southampton between 2003 and 2007.

Although seemingly small numbers, the researchers said they would be

surprised to see even one case as anaphylaxis is so rare after vaccination.

It led them to try and work out the rate of anaphylactic reactions after

single vaccines.

But unlike vaccines given on the NHS, there is no record of how many

immunisations are done in private clinics.

Using data on how many measles and rubella vaccines were imported into the

UK, they estimated the rate of anaphylaxis - which can be fatal - was 18.9

per 100,000 doses for measles and 22.4 per 100,000 doses for rubella.

This compares with 1.4 per 100,000 for MMR, they said, and likely to be an

underestimate because there may be other cases they did not know about and

not all the imported vaccine would have been administered.

Surprising results

Study leader Dr Mich Lajeunesse, a consultant in paediatric allergy in

Southampton, said: " It is so unusual that if you saw one case of anaphylaxis

to vaccines you would be surprised.

" We can't think of any reason why it would be higher for single vaccines and

it's probably an anomaly.

" The issue is that people go for these vaccines because they are uncertain

about how safe the MMR is but we know how safe the MMR is because we have

lots of data. "

He added that the Healthcare Commission should insist private clinics are

subject to the same standards of vaccine data reporting as is expected of

the NHS.

" They are more than likely safe but the issue it raises is about how that is

monitored. "

Dr Lajeunesse is currently doing a UK-wide study to gain a better

understanding of how common anaphylaxis is after vaccination.

Immunisation expert Dr Elliman, a community paediatrician at Great

Ormond Street Hospital also said there was " no logical reason " why the rates

of anaphylaxis should be so high with the single vaccines.

" The important message is not about the rate but the fact that it does occur

and this idea that the single vaccines for some magical reason are safer is

nonsense. "

He added that private clinics should have to report to the PCT whenever they

vaccinate a child in the same way GPs do in the NHS.