World Autism Awareness Vietnam orders ban after UK-made MMR

April 4, 2008

Vietnam orders ban after UK-made children vaccine proves deadly

Serious symptoms in a child as Priorix using complications

The Vietnamese health ministry has ordered a nationwide ban on

Priorix, a vaccine for children imported from the UK, after one child

died and five others are in critical condition following

inoculation.

Assistant Professor Dr Trinh Quan Huan, deputy minister of health,

said his ministry had asked the national vaccine analysis institute

to analyze the serum which is used against measles, mumps, and

rubella.

The six victims are from Ho Chi Minh City's District 5.

The worst affected is Ng.Thi.B, 13 months, who was admitted to the

city's Pediatrics Hospital No 1 Wednesday in medical shock and with

breathing difficulty.

She had swelling and sores at the injection area and her temperature

had shot up to 40oC (104oF). She died the same day.

B's relatives said that half an hour after the vaccination, the

injected arm swelled, followed by the chest.

Ng.M.Q, also 13 months, was hospitalized with the same symptoms plus

diarrhea and convulsions.

However, the child is out of danger and doctors are now purifying his

blood.

The doctors said the two patients had complications caused by Priorix

which affected their hearts, brains, and livers.

Doctor Le Truong, director of the district health center, said the

district had been sent a batch of 109 Priorix doses, 76 of which had

been used.

" Never before have there been any complications from children's

vaccination like this one, " a veteran doctor said.

Priorix is produced by the UK's GlaxoKline and distributed by

Zuellig Pharma.

Reported by T.T., L.C. – Translated by Hoang Bao

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