WHO says narcolepsy link with GSK's flu vaccine Pandemrix needs further investigation

10 February 2011

The World Health Organization has concluded that further evaluation of the reported link to the rare sleeping disorder narcolepsy with use of UK drug giant GlaxoSmithKline’s (LSE: GSK) Pandemrix H1N1 flu vaccine is warranted. The WHO instigated a review earlier this month, after the National Institute for Health and Welfare of Finland issued a preliminary statement about investigations into the cases in Finland. (The Pharma Letter February 3).

Since August 2010, following widespread use of vaccines against influenza (H1N1) 2009, cases of narcolepsy, especially in children and adolescents, have been reported from at least 12 countries. The rates reported from Sweden, Finland and Iceland have been notably higher than those from other countries.

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