Use of flu drug batches halted following deaths

(ANSA) - Rome, November 27 - The Italian authorities on Thursday halted the use of two batches of the FLUAD flu vaccine amid suspicions that three deaths may have been linked to doses of it. "Three fatalities took place within 48 hours of the administration of doses from two batches (of FLUAD)," the Italian Pharmaceutical Agency (AIFA) said explaining its decision to halt the use of the batches of the drug. AIFA stressed that the move was precautionary. Two of the suspect deaths linked to the drug occurred in Sicily, while the other was in the southern Molise region, ANSA sources said.