Ottawa Assures GlaxoSmithKline Lawsuit Protection From H1N1 Vaccine Side Effect

October 1, 2009 6:22 a.m. EST

Ottawa, Ontario (AHN) - Following the controversy created by reports that people vaccinated with the Influenza A (H1N1) shot may be more prone to seasonal flu, Ottawa health authorities sought to allay public fear the reports may have generated.

In a joint press conference with Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq set up to update Canadians about the H1N1 pandemic situation, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. David Butler-Jones said the federal government will provide lawsuit protection against swine flu vaccine maker GlaxoSmithKline if there would be future side effects.

However, Butler-Jones clarified the legal protection does not provide cover for physicians who inject a patient with H1N1 immunization shots that would result to an error due to the wrong way of administering the injection or from a malpractice.