Residents are refusing to have their school-going children vaccinated against swine flu because of conflicting information published in the media on the vaccine's safety. This in turn has raised concern over whether the pharmaceutical companies producing the vaccine can be trusted, said Dr. Sami Badawood, Director of Health Affairs in Jeddah. He was speaking in response to the decision by many parents and guardians not to have their children vaccinated. He said that people have become confused after reading conflicting reports on the safety of the vaccine in the mass media and on the Internet. Now there seemed to be a general distrust of the drug companies which produce the vaccine. The health ministry has repeatedly stated that the vaccine is safe and has side effects similar to those of any normal flu vaccine. The health ministry's vaccination campaign at schools started Saturday. Despite the poor response, Badawood said that the campaign will continue. However, the vaccination will only be provided with the consent of parents or guardians. A number of school headmasters in Jeddah said that there has been a slow response at their schools. They said the response was even less on the second day.
