Investigations were undertaken by the Finnish National Institute for health and welfare and the Swedish Medical Products Agency who released a conclusive link between Pandemrix and Narcolepsy.  The preliminary study by Finland’s National Institute for Health and Welfare showed children injected with the Pandemrix Swine Flue vaccine were nine times more likely to contract narcolepsy than those who where not vaccinated.   The institute says that currently the most likely explanation for the increase in narcolepsy is by joint effect of the vaccine and some other factors. 

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has said that it has identified 30 cases of the sleeping disorder narcolepsy as part of an investigation into a possible link between the condition and the swine flue vaccine Pandemrix.   The HSE has said it is working to identify any potential cases as part of an ongoing clinical research into any possible link and its Health Protection Surveillance Center is leading this research. 

A group has been set up by parents who believe that there children have developed Nascolepsy after receiving the vaccination.  SOUND (Suffers of Unique Narcolepsy Disorder) was launched to help parents identify if their children are affected by narcolepsy and to lobby the Health Authorities to support those already diagnosed. 

The Finnish Pharmaceutical Insurance Pool is an insurance scheme that compensates victims of pharmaceutical injuries in Finland.  The Insurance scheme has said that it will pay compensation to those who develop Narcolepsy after receiving the Pandemrix vaccine in Finland.  Compensation will be paid for both temporary and permanent effects experienced by those who got the vaccine.  

A similar compensation scheme has yet to be set up in Ireland however we are currently carrying out investigations as to whether a similar scheme can be set up in Ireland for children effected by Narcolepsy as a result of receiving the Pandemrix vaccination.  We are also carrying out investigations as to whether it is possible to prove that the Pandemrix vaccine has caused the Narcolepsy in children and whether there could be a compensation claim.  If you or anyone you know has been affected by Narcolepsy as a result of the swine flu vaccine we would be delighted to speak with you and to discuss your options.