Alleged flu vaccine-related deaths spark fears in Italy

At least nine people were reported to have died in Italy for reasons allegedly linked to a flu vaccine which has been suspended by the Italian competent authority for drugs AIFA, media reported Friday.

On Thursday, AIFA prohibited the use of two lots of the Fluad vaccine, produced at a plant of Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company Novartis in the city of Siena, after "serious and deadly cases" were reported in conjunction with the administration of doses from the two lots, Xinhua reported.

AIFA in a statement urged people who have been treated with the vaccines from the two lots to promptly inform their family doctors. The authority highlighted that the move was carried out only for precaution, as there was no proved correlation between the casualties and the vaccine.

"A full picture will be provided only after a full analysis of all elements, including the general health of the patients, their ages and possible illnesses they might have had, is carried out," the statement said.

Tests were being conducted at Italy's national institute of health and first results will be made known in about a week, AIFA said, adding that an investigation has been opened over the case.