Singapore doctors say no complications with flu vaccines linked to South Korea deaths

Ministry of Health has advised doctors to temporarily stop the use of two vaccines, although South Korean authorities have found no direct connection to casualties

Some doctors said common side effects from vaccinations include mild pain at the injection site, swelling, rashes, mild body aches and fatigue

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One doctor said patients may also develop mild cough and cold symptoms, but this reaction usually resolves itself quickly. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:45am, 28 Oct 2020Updated: 11:10am, 29 Oct 2020

Several clinics in Singapore where doctors administered an influenza vaccine linked to deaths in South Korea said no patients have reported complications. They stopped using the vaccine following an advisory from the Ministry of Health (MOH), which also advised temporarily ceasing use of a second vaccine.

While some doctors have checked in on their patients or received inquiries from those concerned about possible complications, others are waiting for more information from MOH, various clinics said Tuesday.

MOH issued an advisory on Sunday to health care providers and medical practitioners to temporarily stop the use of SkyCellflu Quadrivalent, manufactured by SK Bioscience and locally distributed by AJ Biologics, and VaxigripTetra, manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur and locally distributed by Sanofi Aventis.

According to the South Korean health authorities, these two brands of vaccines, along with five others not available in Singapore, were administered to individuals who died there.

Dr Ong Eng Keow from the International Child and Adolescent Clinic at Mount Alvernia Hospital said the clinic had administered about 50 Vaxigrip Tetra vaccines since October 4.

“We contacted all our patients to check on their condition and they are all well,” he said on Monday, adding that he had been most concerned about patients who got the jab recently.

Dr Choo Kay Wee, from A Life Clinic at Novena Medical Centre, has administered fewer than 10 Vaxigrip Tetra vaccines in the last six months.