TAIPEI: The demand for various self-paid childhood vaccines has decreased in Taiwan amid reports of severe side effects allegedly linked to the influenza A(H1N1) vaccine, a pediatrician said yesterday.

According to Lee Ping-ying from National Taiwan University Hospital, fewer children are receiving self-paid vaccines such as the rotavirus vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine due to the public's hysterical reaction to those reports.

Other government-funded vaccination programs for children, however, have not been affected, Lee said.

Officials of pharmaceutical firms said that parents are hesitant about their children having the shots because of the many reports about needle phobia and limb weakness allegedly related to the H1N1 vaccine.

Also, many parents are terrified by reports that the thimerosal contained in most vaccines can cause autism, they said.

Shih Wen-yih, deputy director-general of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) , said the incidents have had little impact on the existing government-funded childhood vaccination drives against hepatitis and the three-in-one vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella.

From March 1, the CDC will provide children with free five-in-one shots against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenza type b disease, replacing the existing polio drops and three-in-one shots that cover only diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, Shih said.

Noting that the five-in-one vaccine produces significantly fewer side effects than the traditional three-in-one vaccine, Shih predicted that the new program will not face many barriers.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 02/05/2010 page2)