Update: Seasonal Flu adverse events in children

Update: Seasonal Flu adverse events in children

The national investigation into adverse reactions after seasonal influenza vaccination in children has identified an increase in febrile convulsions in children aged less than 5 years old, within 24 hours of vaccination with the 2010 seasonal influenza vaccines FluVax and FluVax Junior. No specific cause has been identified.

Further information about the ongoing investigation and the findings to date is provided on the Immunise Australia website at http://www.immunise.health.gov.au
In summary:
  • Seasonal influenza vaccinations are suspended for healthy children aged less than 5 yrs. Children who would have been due to have a second dose (in their first season of having flu vaccine) can have a dose of Panvax, if they have not already done so.
For children aged less than 5 yrs with predisposing medical conditions the recommendation is:
  • these children should at the very least receive Panvax(H1N1) vaccine
  • if broader protection is required then Influvac or Vaxigrip vaccine be used only after weighing up the risks and benefits
  • fully inform parents/carers regarding monitoring and management of fever, including pre- and post-vaccination use of paracetamol and physical measures to control temperature
In children aged 5 yrs and over the recommendations for the use of Seasonal Influenza vaccinations have not changed. They may continue to be vaccinated according to the guideline in Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th edition.



Urgent Public Health Alert 23 April 2010:
Seasonal Influenza Vaccinations: Children aged 5yrs and under

The Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer Professor Jim Bishop has advised that children aged five years and under should not receive seasonal influenza vaccination until further notice.

Please click here for the full Queensland Government health alert and click here for RACGP media release

This advice regarding children 5 years and under overrides all other advice.

Seasonal Flu Vaccines

The supplies of the Seasonal Influenza vaccine have been delayed this year. Do not expect to see any stocks arrive till about mid to late March.
Also the Commonwealth has expanded the funding of the seasonal Influenza vaccine to include those aged from 6 months to 64 years with medical conditions that place them at risk.
These risks are listed on pages 190 - 192 section (iii) of Australian Immunisation Handbook.

Please note updated advice: April 2010
ATAGI recently made changes to the under 10 yrs flu /panvax schedule.
The change mainly affects children under 10 yrs who have had 2 previous flu vaccines. Please read carefully the following documents:
2010 updated summary recommendation for pandemic seasonal influenza for child
2010 GP communique No 13 April

PLEASE DISCARD PREVIOUS ADVICE regarding children <10 yrs seasonal flu and panvax .

Resources:

Schedule showing the funded groups
Letter to GPs and information regarding the program sent out by QHIP
Media release from the Commonwealth Health Minister
Data collection sheet
Flu advice to VSPs