Spain, Germany Join European Halt On Novartis Flu Vaccines.

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Spain, Germany Join European Halt On Novartis Flu Vaccines.

Reuters (10/26, Kane) reports Spain has joined regulatory bodies in Italy and Switzerland in halting the sales of Novartis AG's flu vaccines, after the company earlier this week, informed Italian authorities of white particles floating in some of the injection vials. The Spanish Medicines and Health Products Agency announced Thursday that it has placed all sales of Novartis's Chiromas and Chiroflu vaccines on hold. On Wednesday, Italy halted sales and issued an advisory recommending against purchasing or using Agrippal, Fluad, subunit Influpozzi and adjuvated Influpozzi until the quality and safety of the vaccines is confirmed. Switzerland followed suit, issuing a similar consumer notice and placing an embargo on all deliveries of the vaccine products.

        Separately, Reuters (10/26, Burger) reports that the Paul-Ehrlich Institute on Thursday announced that no buildup of particles was observed in any of Novartis's vaccine products in Germany. Still, the German vaccination agency issued what it called a "precautionary" recall of the company's Begripal and Fluad vaccines.

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I've been getting my yearly Flu vacccine as I get bronchitis at the drop of a hat.  Now I am on the fence regarding these vaccines......