ROME: The Italian health ministry said on Wednesday it has banned the sale and use of several flu vaccines produced by Swiss drugs group Novartis pending tests into possible side-effects.
"The health ministry and the Italian medicines agency (AIFA) have decided to take the precaution of banning immediately the use of the vaccines" Aggripal, Fluad and Influpozzi, it said.
On the basis of information supplied by Novartis, AIFA "has decided that it is necessary to carry out further tests regarding the quality and the safety" of the vaccines, which "can produce collateral effects," the statement said.
Citizens are advised not to buy or use the drugs until further notice, the ministry said. (AFP)
