EU to look at research options on narcolepsy

Ellen was a normal, healthy 12-year-old until she and her family had the flu vaccine, as recommended by medical staff so they could visit a cousin in hospital.

Within three weeks, Ellen, a twin, started falling. When she began to lose consciousness in the middle of meals, they knew something was wrong.

Like millions of others, Ellen received Pandemrix, a drug manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and approved by the European Medicines Agency for treating swine flu.