Japan Suspends Use of Vaccines After 4 Deaths

Japan's health ministry has halted the use of vaccines made by Pfizer Inc. and Sanofi-Aventis following the deaths of four children.

Pfizer's Prevenar and Sanof's ActHIB, which are each used to prevent forms of meningitis and pneumonia, will be suspended while the causes of the deaths are investigated, the ministry said in a release on its website.

In February last year health authorities in the Netherlands said no relation was found between Prevenar and the deaths of three infants who had received the vaccine.