**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Response to New Brunswick Flu Shot Concerns
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NOTE: The following is a statement from Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health
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On Sunday, Nov. 15, I became aware of adverse events experienced by three people in New Brunswick within a week of having their influenza vaccine. All three had received the Flulaval Tetra vaccine from lot number KX9F7.
Nova Scotia received 120,000 doses of this specific lot. The vaccine arrived at our local public health provincial biologicals depot in September. From there, it was distributed to providers.
As a precaution, we have advised providers to not use the specific lot number of this product until further notice.
In Nova Scotia, public health reviews all reports of adverse events following immunization and to date, none have been reported in the province related to this lot number. Many provinces have distributed vaccines from this lot number with no reported adverse effects and Health Canada is conducting a full review of the situation.
I want to reassure Nova Scotians that the flu shot is a safe and effective way to protect yourself from the flu. These events demonstrate that there is a robust vaccine safety program in Canada and that a cautious approach is always taken when specific issues are identified.
We strongly encourage all Nova Scotians to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting their annual flu shot.
