 A man walks past the logo of Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG in front of a plant in Basel in this October 25, 2011 file photo. (REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/Files_
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Health Canada has suspended the distribution of two flu vaccines after several European countries pulled them from use due to concerns over white floating material seen clumping inside.
The health agency said it has "rigorously reviewed" Agriflu and Fluad, made by Novartis, before authorizing them for use in Canada.
It also said clumping of the kind seen in Europe is common in vaccines.
"Health Canada has previously seen such particles before in other vaccines and has observed no impact on their safety or effectiveness," said a statement issued late Friday.
However, as a precaution, the agency said it has asked the drug maker to stop distributing the vaccines in Canada until a full review can be completed.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has not received any reports of "serious or unexpected adverse events" related to these vaccines, but recommended that health-care professionals stop using them in the meantime.
