A few days ago I heard the Italian Vice-Minister of Health Ferruccio Fazio proudly saying that Italy is the first country in Europe to distribute the vaccine against the swine flu.
Maybe we are the first to go, but - as usual - we are the last to know where we are going…
So, I made a little search on the net about this vaccine, or Pandemrix.
On the website of the EMEA (European Medicines Evaluation Agency), it is possible to read the reasons for issuing the vaccine. In particular, I post here two of them that are a little bit worrying:
Why has Pandemrix been approved?
The CHMP (Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use) decided that, based on the information obtained with the mock-up vaccine and the information provided on the strain change, the benefits of Pandemrix are greater than its risks for the prophylaxis of influenza in the officially declared H1N1 pandemic situation. The Committee recommended that Pandemrix be given marketing authorisation.
Pandemrix has been authorised under ‘Exceptional Circumstances’. This means that it has not been possible to obtain full information about the pandemic vaccine. Every year, the European Medicines Agency will review any new information that may become available and this summary will be updated as necessary.
What information is still awaited for Pandemrix?
The company that makes Pandemrix will collect information on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, and submit this to the CHMP for evaluation.
Synthesizing, in not exceptional circumstances the vaccine should not be authorized.
Official allowing institutions do not have complete information.
The necessary information to give a full response will be provided by the same company that produces the medicine.
And what is this company? It is the GlaxoSmithKline.
Are you serious?
Is it the corporation that was investigated by Italian prosecutors for having prescribed medication, offering gifts or money to the National Health Service?
In Italy we are the first in Europe to be vaccinated…
What luck!
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