<div><p>Six severe allergic reactions to swine flu vaccinations have been observed in Canada, health authorities said Tuesday, adding that all of the individuals are feeling better.</p><p>All of the cases of anaphylactic shock were linked to a single batch or 172,000 doses of Aprepanrix vaccines made by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) distributed starting November 2, said Caroline Grondin, a spokeswoman for Canada's health ministry.</p><p>Distribution of the batch to six provinces -- British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Prince Edward Island -- was halted, she said.</p><p>But she could not say how many doses had been used before distribution was suspended.</p><p>The health ministry believes the number of adverse reactions is abnormally high and has asked officials to investigate. One allergic reaction in 100,000 doses is the currently accepted norm.</p><p>Anaphylactic shock is a severe, rapid and sometimes fatal allergic reaction to a foreign substance such as a vaccine, shellfish or insect venom. Symptoms include difficulty breathing and a sudden drop in blood pressure.</p><p>It is a serious medical issue, said Grondin, but anyone who received the vaccines and did not have a reaction should not worry.</p><p>The A(H1N1) vaccine is safe and effective, she insisted. "The fact that we've uncovered problem with a specific batch shows that our monitoring system works," Grondin told AFP.</p><p> The World Health Organization (WHO), which first alerted health authorities of potential problems with this batch of vaccines, has not changed its recommendations regarding swine flu vaccines.</p><p>These remain, according to the WHO, the most effective way to fight the virus, which has killed some 6,750 people worldwide since it first appeared in March.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=64164702&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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