New ‘overload’ fears as swine flu jab is added to routine childhood vaccines

The swine flu vaccine will be given to children at the same time as routine jabs – despite the fact there is no evidence the combination is safe.

There are fears that children will be at risk of unknown side effects because safety trials into using the jabs together have yet to be carried out. The plan has also added to concerns about ‘overloading’ young immune systems with multiple inoculations.

Government experts have ruled that all vaccinations – including those against measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis C, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, Hib disease and pneumococcal infection – can be given with the swine flu vaccine to children over six months old. The Government’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) decided that because the swine flu vaccine does not contain a ‘live’ virus, it can safely be given with other jabs.

The first wave of a national vaccination scheme against swine flu is set to begin next week, with children who have underlying health problems such as asthma and diabetes among the first to be treated. (Daily Mail)