Friday, March 13th, 2009 - For Immediate Release:
Could this be the start of the Bird Flu epidemic?
It could be the plot line for a Hollywood thriller - shades of I Am Legend. But recently-released information showing that the influenza vaccine produced by Baxter International Inc was 'unintentionally' contaminated with live H5N1 avian influenza virus has shocked the medical world and caused panic in the European nations where the vaccine was distributed and administered.
Interestingly, Baxter has been awarded contracts by several nations around the world to develop an Avian influenza vaccine. This 'error' on their part could be the means by which an epidemic of this fatal form of influenza begins in the community.
This is just one more piece of evidence to show that vaccine manufacturers do not maintain strict controls over their production processes or facilities.
On May 1, 2008, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) cited Merck & Co. for contamination at their plant which produces the Gardasil vaccine - a vaccine which is credited with causing 17 serious reactions a week in Australian girls who receive it.
The letter which the FDA wrote to Merck in regards to their plant inspection, describes "significant deviations from current good manufacturing practice (CGMP)" and described a failure to "...assure that drug products conform to appropriate standards of identity, strength, quality, and purity."
In addition to the Gardasil vaccine, this plant produces Liquid PedvaxHIB®, RECOMBIVAX HB®, ProQuad®, Gardasil®, VAQTA®, and COMVAX®. Merck is also the manufacturer of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccination which we currently use in Australia.
"The government, medical community, and the pharmaceutical companies all have a duty of care to ensure that the vaccines we are administering to our children are as safe and pure as they possibly can be. It is obvious that this duty of care is not being taken seriously. The AVN demands more transparency regarding the vaccine production process and inclusion of representatives of our organisation on the government committees that oversee these processes." says Meryl Dorey, President of the Australian Vaccination Network.
For further information, call the AVN on 02 6687 1699, 0414 872 032 or visit their web site - www.avn.org.au. |
