The influenza vaccine clinics are back up and running after a short shutdown due to concerns raised about the flu vaccine by Health Canada.

The Heartland Health region resumed its vaccination clinics last Wednesday after being shuttered for six days following a request by Health Canada after the flu vaccine made by pharmaceutical firm Novartis, which is the only vaccine used in Saskatchewan, was discovered to have clumping of particles in the vaccine in Europe.

Dr. David Torr, consulting medical health officer for the Heartland Health region, said the temporary ban on distribution of the vaccine was only a precautionary measure by Health Canada after one batch was found to have some particles in it. He said the batch used in Canada is safe and anyone who has received the vaccine already need not feel worried and do not need to get another shot.

“The batch that was in question is a different batch than the one we have here, it’s just the same manufacturer,” said Torr. “With the Canadian stock, nothing was seen here that was seen in Italy.”

Torr said following testing of the Canadian batch, Health Canada and Novartis have reiterated the optimal safety of the Canadian stock and he encourages anyone who has not yet been immunized to head to an influenza immunization clinic and get a shot.

He said that any clinics that were suspended will be rescheduled in the near future and all upcoming clinics will go on as planned.

“We should be able to catch up,” said Torr. “It was only a week that we went out.”