• 09
  • March
    2011

Japanese officials in that country's health ministry recently suspended the use of vaccinations from Pfizer pharmaceuticals after four infants suffered death within minutes of receiving measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations.

According to sources, all four children had received combination vaccines in which multiple shots were combined into a single injection.

While a panel of Japanese health experts later determined that there was no direct connection between the deaths and the vaccines, the panel said that further investigation is needed. At this time, the suspension remains in effect for vaccines used to prevent meningitis and pneumonia.

U.S. health officials, aware of the suspension, said that no such safety concerns had been reported in the United States.

Pfizer stock didn't suffer following the suspension announcement, and actually went up $.10 after the panel released its update announcement.

In terms of MMR vaccinations, some believe there is strong evidence that MMR vaccines are more dangerous when given in combination than when given one at a time. The safety of the vaccination has been disputed in the past, particularly in regard to concerns that it may cause autism.

While death is not considered a typical side effect of standard vaccines like MMR, there are few medications that are completely without risks.

And though MMR is not generally considered a dangerous drug, there are various drugs-like Accutane, Reglan, Trasylol, Paxil, and Prozac-that are well known for their potentially dangerous side effects. Attorney's who pursue pharmaceutical companies for manufacture and distribution of dangerous drugs do so on the assumption that such drugs present more possibility of harm to the patients than good, and that those injured by the irresponsible actions of pharmaceuticals deserve compensation.

Source: Bloomberg, "Japan Drug Panel Finds No Link Between Child Deaths, Pfizer, Sanofi Shots," Kanoko Matsuyama, 8 Mar 2011.