Advice to Vaccine Service Providers: Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior vaccine
Advice to Vaccine Service ProvidersPanvax H1N1 2009 Junior vaccine
The Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer has advised that the shelf life of Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior has been shortened from 12 months to 6 months.
Therefore existing stocks of Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior should now be considered expired.
The safety of the vaccine is not affected.
In Australia, the decline in potency is specific to the Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior vaccine which is supplied in 0.25 mL pre-filled syringes.
Panvax in multidose vials is not affected, nor are the trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines.
ATAGI has advised that revaccination of children who have already received two doses of Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior is not necessary, as the potency of the vaccine administered to date is considered adequate to induce an immune response. If a child aged 6 months to
<3 years of age is due to receive a second dose of H1N1 containing vaccine, this can be provided by using the age appropriate dose (0.25ml) obtained from a Panvax multi-dose vial. Alternatively, the 2010 seasonal influenza vaccines (Vaxigrip and Influvac) are also suitable for use.
CSL will be retrieving all stock of Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior vaccine from immunisation providers. CSL will contact all immunisation providers to advise them of this issue and the retrieval process.
ATAGI's full advice will be available shortly on www.healthemergency.gov.au and www.immunise.health.gov.au
What you need to do
1. Quarantine any stocks of Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior you are holding:
- mark “DO NOT USE”
- remove from your vaccine refrigerator as vaccine does not need to be retrieved under cold chain conditions
Dr Christine Selvey
Senior Director
Communicable Diseases Branch
26/8/2010
