Italy has partially banned an influenza vaccine manufactured by Swiss pharmaceutical Novartis. The decision came leading the mysterious death of three people who had been injected with the vaccine.

The Italian Medical Agency (AIFA) said three people were killed and a fourth was seriously ill within 48 hours of receiving doses of vaccine FLUAD, The doses belonged to two specific lots whose origin was not specified.

After the deaths, AIFA made the decision to prohibit sell, distribution and use of all vaccines from the two lots, saying it was a precautionary measure while a “possible causal link” is investigated.

Novartis said in a statement that it was notified about the measure implemented by the Italian authorities and said it has not established whether the vaccine has any relation to the deaths.

“A review of the two batches confirmed that they meet all standards of production and quality,”said Novartis.

The company is working with the Italian Medical Agency to further evaluate the situation,” the statement added.

On its website, Novartis assures the public that FLUAD “is indicated for active immunization against influenza in individuals 65 years and over, and that it currently holds a license in 35 countries in the European Union (EU), Latin America, Asia and Canada. “

Luis R. Miranda is the Founder and Editor of The Real Agenda. His 16 years of experience in Journalism include television, radio, print and Internet news. Luis obtained his Journalism degree from Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, where he graduated in Mass Media Communication in 1998. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcasting from Montclair State University in New Jersey. Among his most distinguished interviews are: Costa Rican President Jose Maria Figueres and James Hansen from NASA Space Goddard Institute. Read more about Luis.