Child Deaths After Vaccination

CHILD DEATHS AFTER VACCINATION - CUBA ************************************* A ProMED-mail post <http://www.promedmail.org> ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org> Date: Thurs 30 May 2002 10:28 PM EDT From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org> Source: AP Online [edited] Cuba suspends measles vaccination --------------------------------- HAVANA (AP): Cuba announced on Thursday that its measles vaccination program had been suspended after an "uncommon accident" with imported vaccine dosages that left 3 children dead and 42 others sick. The 3 children died last week after receiving injections from "apparently contaminated" vials filled with the anti-measles vaccine manufactured in India. "After the accident was known, it was decided a week ago to stop the vaccinations underway across the country," the government said in a communique carried in the Communist Party daily Granma. Cuba said it had formed a commission to investigate. The communique said the vaccines had been certified by and acquired through the World Health Organization. It provided no other details on Cuba's acquisition of the vaccines, nor where in Cuba the children had died. "Through the Health Ministry's monitoring systems, an uncommon accident was detected on 22 May 2002 in several vaccinated children," the communique said. Cuba said that during this year's anti-measles campaign more than 750 000 other children between 4 and 9 years old have been vaccinated without adverse reactions. Cuba, which is proud of its world renowned childhood health care programs, has had an extensive vaccination program for its children since the 1970s. Cuba produces some vaccines, such as for meningitis B and hepatitis B. But it does not manufacture vaccines for childhood diseases such as measles, said Dr Pedro Lopez Saura, clinical trials director for Cuba's Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. -- ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org> [Last year a cluster of deaths was associated with measles vaccination in Algeria (see ProMED-mail postings listed below). Investigation revealed that an inappropriate diluent was used to reconstitute the lyophilized vaccine, and involved one vial of vaccine used in the country. The above report mentions use of "contaminated vaccine" with 3 deaths and 42 additional ill children. As the newswire goes on to mention that more than 750 000 other children were vaccinated with measles vaccine without any untoward effects, one wonders if this incident might be due to a similar cause. There is no mention of the geographic distribution of the cases, nor of the clinical syndromes involved. If all affected children came from the same vaccination center it would more strongly suggest a localized event rather than a broader vaccine supply event. ProMED-mail would greatly appreciate more information on this episode from official sources, rather than rely upon speculation and information from the lay press. - Mod.MPP] [see also: Infant deaths after vaccination - Algeria (Mascara) (02) 20011226.3115 Infant deaths after vaccination - Algeria (Mascara) 20011224.3107] ....................mpp/pg/sh *##########################################################* ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the information, and of any statements or opinions based thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID and its associated service providers shall not be held responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted or archived material. ************************************************************ Visit ProMED-mail's web site at <http://www.promedmail.org>. Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help, etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a human being send mail to: owner-majordomo@promedmail.org. ############################################################ ############################################################