• Germany edition
Man suffers life-threatening reaction to swine flu vaccine

Man suffers life-threatening reaction to swine flu vaccine

Published: 4 Nov 09 08:28 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20091104-23009.html

A 30-year-old in Düsseldorf has been the first German patient to suffer life-threatening health complications from a swine flu vaccination, daily Rheinische Post reported on Wednesday.

After receiving the Pandemrix shot at a general practitioner’s office over the weekend, the patient complained of dizziness, shaking and irregular breathing before going into anaphylactic shock and losing consciousness, the paper reported.

The doctor was able to stabilise the patient and alert emergency services, which transported him to a nearby hospital. He was released later the same day.

According to a Düsseldorf city spokesperson, such a reaction to the A/H1N1 vaccination is “very seldom,” and can also be caused by other vaccinations.

A spokesperson from the Paul Ehrlich Institute, which manages vaccines for the government, said the incident had been registered, but added that experts needed to investigate the matter further to determine exactly what caused the man’s negative reaction to the vaccination.

On Monday the national disease control and prevention agency, the Robert Koch Institute, reported that the number of new swine flu infections had doubled in just two days – confirming predictions that a wave would spread this autumn.

DDP/The Local (news@thelocal.de)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

10:17 November 4, 2009 by The-ex-pat
So "life threatening" was his condition after having the jab that he was released from hospital the same day!
10:48 November 4, 2009 by Hasilein
Well, if I understand anaphylactic shock correctly, it leads to immediate drop in blood pressure and cuts off breathing - which IS indeed deadly in just a few minutes if it's not treated.
16:08 November 4, 2009 by Celeon
I would not exactly call that fear mongering.

"Very seldom" means that similar flu shots lead very seldom to anaphylactic reactions within the usual numbers in which people get their normal seasonal flu shots.

But this time we talk about shots for 30 million people which has never been done before. Logically the number of allergic reactions rises with the number of people getting shots.

50 to 100 deaths due to anaphylactic reactions out of 30 million for instance would be "very seldom" from a medical point of view but of course outrageous from that of the public opinion. However there is nothing that can be done against that.

The only thing you can do is either hope that you're not one of the 100 or simply dont get the shot and take your risk with the flu.

But If swine flu should mutate to a deadlier form in its second or third wave (exactly what happened with the spanish flu of 1918) and people start to die in big numbers, then nobody will care about the allergic risk anyway and start standing in line to get their shots asap.
16:21 November 4, 2009 by AliceBee
@ leeza / fraufruit / The-ex-pat

You call watching your husband have a pipe shoved down his throat after he stopped breathing a joke? The wife is a personal friend and he did nearly die. No fear mongering with this story.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Europe’s German agenda

As Europe continues to fumble its way through its debt crisis, can Germany’s reforms from a decade ago really serve as an example for the rest of the Continent? The Local’s Marc Young look back to see an agenda for the future. READ (9 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Bestiality brothels spur call for animal sex ban

Animal sex abuse is on the rise in Germany, with bestiality brothels being set up across the country, according to a state animal protection officer demanding stronger laws to protect mankind's furry and feathered friends. READ (19 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Hamburg sues over pricey, late concert hall

Hamburg city is suing the firm building its landmark new concert hall for going tens of millions of euros over-budget and being at least four years late. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Italian children remember people killed by the Nazis. Photo: DPA

Germany not responsible for Nazi-era crimes

The United Nations’ highest court declared Friday that modern day Germany isn’t responsible for Nazi war crimes in Italy, saying Rome breached international laws when its courts allowed compensation claims to be made. READ (19 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Cake in the face for 'Baron Cut-and-Paste'

Critics of disgraced former German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg hit him in the face with a big cake on Thursday night, while he was meeting a Pirate Party politician in a Berlin café. READ (14 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Most Germans want president to resign

Most Germans now want President Christian Wulff to resign, as the flow of allegations over his behaviour and investigations into his relationships with businesses continues to damage his credibility. READ (4 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Thousands of US troops leaving Bavaria

The US military will close bases at Bamberg and Schweinfurt in the German state of Bavaria by 2015 as part of a planned drawdown of its forces stationed in Europe. READ (11 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Judge jails wrong-way crash driver indefinitely

A 35-year-old man who deliberately drove the wrong way down a south German motorway and crashed head-on into a car, killing one person has been jailed for 12 years but may be held indefinitely under preventative detention rules. READ (7 COMMENTS) »

More National
Highlights
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
Germany’s public transportation largely operates on the honour system, which makes fare dodging easy. You can have your say on how Germany should deal with the problem.
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Macho German football legend Rudi Assauer says he has Alzheimer’s Disease, an admission one expert told The Local could help stoke discussion of an illness often considered taboo.
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
A 64-year-old tub of American lard has been deemed fit for human consumption by food safety authorities in the eastern German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Photo: Yves Gabriel
LIFESTYLE »
What's on in Germany: February 2 - 8
Photo: Columbia Pictures
LIFESTYLE »
The Local's English-language movie listings for Germany
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
As Hamburg’s legendary Reeperbahn strip gentrifies, Stephen Lowman reports how the city’s “sinful mile” is changing.
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
The urban street slang spoken by young Germans is so distinct that one language expert is arguing for it to be recognised as a proper dialect.
Photo: Bavarian International School
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A global education - a Bavarian community
Photo ECLA
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A truly international education at the heart of Berlin



See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Jobs in Germany, in English

1195 jobs available
784 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
News from DeutschlandOnline

Toytown Germany
Germany's English-speaking crowd
English-speaking educators (native level)

Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!