Pharmacists defend flu vaccine

In the aftermath of European findings that a flu vaccine administered in Ireland last year is not suitable for children, the Irish Pharmaceutical Union has said the risk presented by swine flu was greater than that presented by the drug.

The European Medicines Agency has said Pandemrix should only be given to children if other vaccines are not available.

It follows an investigation into reports from Finland and Sweden of children and adolescents suffering from sleep disorder.

This week the Health Minister James Reilly gave pharmacists the go-ahead to administer flu vaccines from the autumn.