Debate breaks out over Hungarian flu vaccine

Socialist MP István Nyul asked Health Minister Tamás Székely whether the H1N1 flu vaccine public awareness drive has been satisfactory in Parliament yesterday.

"There is a whispering campaign saying the Hungarian vaccine is poor," Székely answered. "Anyone offered a free vaccination from a GP they should take it," he underlined.

"The manufacturer (Omnivest) will expectedly receive clearance for 3-18-year-olds using the vaccine next week, which will be followed by permission for the three-month to three-year age-group," Székely said.

Meanwhile St László Hospital vaccination expert Andrea Kulcsár was critical of the vaccine, telling Népszabadság that “the makers have a disclaimer saying doctor and patient are responsible for any risk, which is absurd.”

She explained that "the Hungarian vaccine is a ‘full vaccine’, while the European and US vaccine is a ‘split vaccine’. The instructions on the vaccine say doctors should weigh up the risk because it has not been tested on pregnant women,” Kulcsár noted.

Kulcsár said she does not recommend the Hungarian vaccine for the under fours and pregnant women: “no clinical tests have been made on either of the vaccine types,” National Epidemiology centre expert István Jankovics added.

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