Originally published October 4 2005
FDA reports problem with Meningitis vaccine
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
After being injected with Menactra, a new Meningitis vaccine manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur, five teenagers have developed a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the limbs and the respiratory system.
Five teenagers developed a serious neurological disorder within two to four weeks after receiving the vaccine Menactra, which prevents a severe and deadly form of meningitis, the Food and Drug Administration reported yesterday.
All have recovered or are recovering from the illness, Guillain-Barr� syndrome, which causes weakness in the arms and legs and can spread to the chest and impair breathing.
The vaccine is needed because meningococcal disease is a horrific illness that comes on suddenly and can be rapidly fatal, with a death rate of about 10 percent.
Guillain-Barr� syndrome has a death rate as high as 5 percent, Dr. Midthun said, adding that a majority "do recover, and recover fully."
Menactra, made by Sanofi Pasteur, was licensed in the United States in January and recommended for high school and college freshmen, 11- and 12-year-olds and all travelers to certain countries.
So far, more than 2.5 million people have received Menactra shots, and there have been no other reports of Guillain-Barr�.
Experts from the company, the drug agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are studying the cases to try to determine whether the vaccine was to blame.
To find out if there are more cases, the Food and Drug Administration is asking doctors and the public to report any possible cases of the nerve syndrome after vaccination, via the Internet at www.vaers.hhs.gov or by calling (800) 822-7967.
Meanwhile, Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, the interim head of the Food and Drug Administration, announced late Friday afternoon that he would no longer hold two full-time jobs, the interim one at the drug agency and his original job as head of the National Cancer Institute.
Staff members there received a similar memorandum.
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