Suspension of the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for Children Five Years and Under

This post has been sourced from the Queensland Health website – http://www.health.qld.gov.au/flu/vacc_suspension.asp .

What has happened?
There has been a higher than usual number of children 5 years and under experiencing fevers, vomiting and febrile convulsions following seasonal influenza vaccination, in the Western Australian seasonal influenza vaccination program.

Due to this, the seasonal influenza vaccination program for children five years and under is being temporarily suspended Australia-wide. This is on advice from the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer.

Why is the program being suspended?
This is a precautionary measure. The Chief Medical Officer is seeking urgent advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation and a number of other vaccination experts.

What if my child has just had the vaccination?
If your child received the seasonal influenza vaccination in the past 24 hours, contact your service provider if you have any immediate concerns.
If your child is experiencing a fever give them paracetamol and seek medical advice if you are concerned.
If it has been more than 24 hours since your child received the seasonal influenza vaccine, and your child has not experienced any symptoms, it is highly unlikely that there are any reasons to be concerned. Most of the reported side effects have occurred within 24 hours of vaccination. However, if you are at all concerned, seek medical advice.

I think my child has had a side effect – what should I do?
The side effects that have caused concern are severe fevers and febrile convulsions. If your child has a fever, administer paracetamol and, if you have any concerns, seek medical advice immediately.
All suspected adverse reactions following immunisation should be reported to an immunisation provider. Your immunisation provider will have the necessary forms and knows the process for reporting adverse events following immunisation. It is important to ensure that adverse events are reported promptly.

How do I report an adverse event following seasonal influenza vaccination?
All suspected adverse reactions following immunisation should be reported to your immunisation provider. The provider will have the necessary forms and knows the process for reporting adverse events following immunisation. It is important to ensure that adverse events are reported promptly. If your have taken your child to hospital because of concerns about a reaction following vaccination, the hospital will report the adverse reaction so there is no need to report this immediately to your immunisation provider. However you should discuss this reaction with your immunisation provider when you get your child’s next vaccination.

What if I don’t want to go back to the person who gave the immunisation to report an adverse event following seasonal influenza vaccination?
You can contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) to report an adverse event following seasonal influenza vaccination or pandemic vaccination.

My child is medically at risk of influenza complications – what should I do?

If your child is medically at risk of severe complications from influenza, it is important that they still receive protection. Children who are medically at risk should receive Panvax (H1N1) vaccination, to be protected against the pandemic (H1N1) influenza virus. This is a separate vaccination from the seasonal influenza vaccination. There has not been the same level of reports associated with Panvax (H1N1) vaccination.

What should I do if my child has received the first dose of the vaccine?
Children up to the age of 10 years who are having influenza vaccine for the first time need to have two doses at least 28 days apart. In subsequent years only one dose is required each year. The program has been suspended for children 5 years of age and under so if your child is over six years you should continue with the second dose if it is required.
Children who are 5 years of age or under who are medically at risk of severe complications from influenza, should receive Panvax (H1N1) vaccine as the second dose to be fully protected against the pandemic (H1N1) influenza virus. This is a separate vaccination from the seasonal influenza vaccination. There has not been the same level of reports associated with Panvax (H1N1) vaccination. Other children 5 years of age and under who need a second dose should wait until the current review of seasonal influenza vaccination is completed and further advice provided.

When will we know if the vaccine is safe?
The Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation have set up expert panels to investigate this apparent rise in fevers and febrile convulsions in children. At this stage, it is not known when any outcome or longer term decision in relation to administration of seasonal influenza vaccination in children will be available.

Is the Panvax (H1N1) vaccination safe?
Yes. The adverse events following immunisation that have been reported are all related to the seasonal influenza vaccination only. There has been no apparent increase in adverse events following immunisation with Panvax (H1N1).

Dr David Dowling