United Nations Radio

The World Health Organization reports that some people have had an adverse affect from the H1N1 vaccine.

Gregory Hartl

WHO Spokesperson Gregory Hartl says the number is quite small with four out of 39,000 people vaccinated reporting symptoms such as headache and muscle cramps.

"These mild types of adverse events are fully to be expected when you vaccinate people, especially when you vaccinate very large numbers of people as we are doing with the H1N1 vaccine. As the vaccination has started in China, Australia will be starting soon and the United States and in various places in Europe."

Mr. Hartl says it's important to remember that these vaccines have been used for years to treat seasonal influenza and are among the safest vaccines to exist. He says the vaccine is the single most important tool we have against influenza.

Gail Walker, United Nations Radio
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