VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A significant portion of this province’s flu vaccines are being pulled from circulation. Clumping material has been noticed in the vaccine in Italy.

Although no unusual reactions have been traced to the vaccine, the BC Ministry of Health is taking the extra precaution in withdrawing vaccines made by Novartis.

The Novartis products comprise about 30 per cent of B.C.’s flu vaccine supply.

The ministry also says people who have already been vaccinated don’t need to worry, as there have been no safety concerns reported in relation to the vaccines to date.

“We haven’t had any reports of any unusual reactions or symptoms anywhere in the world. All that happened is that the manufacturer noticed some unusual clumping in one  batch of vaccine in a vial and reported it to Italian medical authorities,” says provincial Medical Health Officer Perry Kendall.

He points out there are plenty vaccines made by other companies to cover flu clinics.

“We have 70 per cent of our vaccine supplies available that we can use. So, that’s 800,000 doses. We’re certainly not going to run out of 800,00 doses on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, or even next week,” says Kendall.

In the past, protein clumping in vaccines has been linked to allergic reactions and reduced immune response.

Provincial public health officials are working with other experts across Canada this weekend to figure out what steps should be taken next for public vaccination programs.