Israeli Health Ministry suspends flu vaccine after four die

Israeli Health Ministry suspended all flu vaccinations after four people died shortly after they were inoculated, local newspaper The Jerusalem Post reported on Sunday.

Israeli Health Minister Ya'acov Ben-Yizri said in an urgent meeting on Sunday night that the halt in vaccinations was only a safety measure, as so far, "no connection" had been found between the vaccine and the tragedy, the post said.

Over 140,000 Israelis -- all at high or very high risk of complications from the flu -- have been vaccinated during the past few weeks, according to the report.

It has not been made available to the general population or people of lower risk because of the temporary world shortage of vaccine that is due to be resolved in early November.

However, an initial investigation conducted by Israeli Health Ministry discovered that all four had suffered from various illnesses, including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart problems.

Three of the victims suffered cardiac arrest. The cause of death of the fourth is still unknown, but he is believed to have suffered from a heart condition, the report added.

Source: Xinhua