The National Institution for Health and Welfare (THL) is to determine if vaccine for the H1N1 swine flu is behind a slight increase in the number of cases of narcolepsy. The condition causes excessive daytime sleepiness even after adequate nocturnal sleep.
Although the THL?s Vaccine Department Director Terhi Kilpi does not fear any connection between the H1N1 jab and narcolepsy, she says doubts must be examined.
Experts on both vaccines and the narcolepsy are meeting on Wednesday to decide what to do.
Doubts arose when a Finnish child neurologist noticed a slightly increased level in the number of narcolepsy cases this year. Similar observations have been noticed in Sweden, reports the tabloid Iltalehti.
Medical officials in Sweden are also examining a possible link between the Pandemrix vaccine and narcolepsy, according to the newspaper Svenska Dagbladet.
A patient suffering from narcolepsy can suddenly fall asleep, for example, while, speaking or eating without prior warning.
Although the THL?s Vaccine Department Director Terhi Kilpi does not fear any connection between the H1N1 jab and narcolepsy, she says doubts must be examined.
Experts on both vaccines and the narcolepsy are meeting on Wednesday to decide what to do.
Doubts arose when a Finnish child neurologist noticed a slightly increased level in the number of narcolepsy cases this year. Similar observations have been noticed in Sweden, reports the tabloid Iltalehti.
Medical officials in Sweden are also examining a possible link between the Pandemrix vaccine and narcolepsy, according to the newspaper Svenska Dagbladet.
A patient suffering from narcolepsy can suddenly fall asleep, for example, while, speaking or eating without prior warning.
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