No "serious adverse reaction" from China-made swine flu vaccine: Health Minister

Beijing, Sep 28(ANI): Chinese Health Minister Chen Zhu has said that no "serious adverse reaction" has been reported from people being immunized with the China-made A/H1N1 flu vaccine.

Zhu's comments follow reports of Beijing announcing 14 cases of adverse reaction out of 39,000 residents, who were inoculated with the vaccine.

"The medical cost for A/H1N1 flu patients, especially for those suffering from heavy symptoms, will be compensated within the framework of the established medicare system," Chinaview.cn quoted Zhu, as saying.

Earlier, Liang Xiaofeng, director of the immunization center under the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, had said the inoculations are safe, but the possibility of adverse reactions cannot be ruled out.

Xiaofeng had further said that four of the 14 adverse reactions reported could be related to the vaccines, and had informed that an investigation was underway to find out the reason.

He also clarified that there was still uncertainty about the safety of vaccination for "sensitive groups" such as pregnant and breastfeeding women.

China is focusing inoculation on vulnerable groups such as students, teachers and patients of chronic diseases.

And in response to the possible adverse effects, China has also established a system which enables local health departments to halt inoculation if serious cases like death or deformity were reported. (ANI)