Fears swine flu jab could be licensed without safeguards

IRELAND’S health experts have been urged to take on board the full risks associated with a swine flu vaccine, after fears were raised that the medication could be licensed without essential safeguards.

In the latest edition of the Lancet medical journal, the internationally respected publication warned that despite the clear value of an effective vaccine, any “fast-tracking” of the drug could result in “safety and efficacy data requirements” being ignored.

Under existing standards, a medication is not given the all-clear by manufacturers or health authorities unless it reaches certain criteria that will ensure the drug is safe for human consumption.