IHA reports adverse reactions to H1N1 vaccine

Not everyone within Interior Health is having a good experience with the H1N1 vaccine.

The IHA says eight people have been rushed to hospital due to adverse reactions to the swine flu shot, although only two of those cases appear to be serious.

Medical Health Officer Doctor Paul Hasselback says, "I've reviewed many of those incidents, but only two have been assessed at this time as severe allergic reactions to the vaccine.  They're not actually diagnosed as anaphylaxis.  Though all of this is subject to a provincial review as well."

Hasselback says these bad reactions are quite rare... he insists the vaccine is still safe:

"Even if we looked at the numbers that have occurred within the Interior, these are very, very uncommon events.  With over 100,000 doses given, two possible severe allergic reactions."

Interior Health will be getting a small shipment of the vaccine this week, but not enough doses to set up more clinic dates.

Denise Wong - Kelowna