By Steven Bell

THE PROCURATOR fiscal’s office in Dundee is to carry out further investigation before deciding if an inquiry is to be held into the death of a grandmother who suffered a devastating rare reaction to a flu jab.

A meeting took place between Sylvia Thomson’s husband Robert and legal chiefs yesterday as Mr Thomson seeks to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.

Mrs Thomson (56) died in hospital late last year, and tests have concluded the cause was a routine vaccination at her GP’s practice.

Officials have admitted that, although Sylvia’s reaction to the injection was rare, it could happen to other people.

Depute fiscal Arthur Wheelan said in a letter the cause of death was “extremely unusual,” but it was clear other persons would be predisposed to this type of reaction from the flu jab.

He added, “One consideration is how the conclusion regarding this type of death is put to best use with a view to saving lives in future.”

After the “very open” meeting yesterday, Mr Thomson said he had been asked what he wanted to know about the cause of his wife’s death.

“I said I would like to know the origin and distribution of the vaccination serum, and what tests were carried out before it was introduced to the NHS in the UK,” he said.

“I would like to know who was responsible for allowing it to be introduced, and if this has happened to other people.

“The fiscal said that he needs to gather information and pass that to the relevant authorities in Edinburgh, who will decide about an inquiry.

“He said that he would keep me fully informed and asked me to decide when our next meeting will be.

“He said he would try and do things quickly, possibly before the summer holidays.”

Former PE teacher Sylvia only went to her GP for a flu vaccination in November as a precaution, as she was suffering from an intermittent chest infection.

Around a week later she was taken into hospital suffering from encephalitis—swelling in her brain.

Her condition deteriorated and she died on December 2.

“As soon as I took her up to the hospital they took her to the infectious diseases ward and started treating her for suspected encephalitis,” recalled Mr Thomson, an oil worker, who was married to Sylvia for 30 years.

“The treatment she got in Ninewells was the proper treatment.

“But after a week there I got a call to say that she had a blood clot in her lung.

“She was having difficulty breathing and was put on a ventilator on the intensive care ward.

“After that, every day was worse and worse.

“For the first week she didn’t even know who I was, or who my daughter and grandson were, and it was very difficult for them.”

Mrs Thomson was also suffering from seizures, and the doctors told the family nothing could be done for her.

“I couldn’t speak to her. I couldn’t even say cheerio,” said Mr Thomson.

Initially the doctors were unsure of the cause of his wife’s illness, but after she died Mr Thomson insisted the post mortem focus on the vaccination.

“I knew that’s what it was, and I said that it had to be investigated,” he continued.

“It seems to have been an auto- immune thing.

“It’s more than four months ago, but it all seems like it was yesterday.

“It is still difficult for me and for my family.”

A Crown Office spokeswoman said, “Inquiries are ongoing into the death and a report will be submitted to the Crown Office in due course.

“The family will be kept informed.”

The Scottish Executive and Health Protection Scotland, which oversees the flu jab programme, said adverse reactions are rare.