More Queenslanders are eligible for a free whooping cough vaccine, due to an expansion of the program.
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is on the rise in Queensland and Australia.
In July 2009 the Queensland Government announced expansion of the free whooping cough vaccine to new parents to help combat the disease.
The expansion of the free whooping cough vaccination program now includes parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, and grandparents of babies under six months of age and anyone living in a household with a baby under six months of age. The new expansion will mean the amount of people who will be eligible for vaccinations across the state is estimated to more than double in number.
Eligible Queenslanders should see their normal immunisation provider to receive the free Whooping Cough vaccination – either their General Practitioner, local government, community health centre or Aboriginal health service.

Pertussis vaccination is given to babies at two, four and six months of age and they are not fully immune until they have received all recommended vaccines. Unprotected babies can become severely ill if an adult or carer with the disease passes it on to them. While adults who contract whooping cough may end up with a persistent cough, it can obstruct a baby’s breathing and may be life threatening.
Anyone with symptoms of whooping cough should see their doctor for diagnosis and treatment, as early treatment can help prevent the infection spreading. The disease starts with cold-like symptoms and an irritating cough. The cough can develop into bouts of coughing often followed by dry retching or vomiting.
For more information about whooping cough and vaccinations, ask your doctor, contact 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or refer to the brochure on the Queensland Health website: www.health.qld.gov.au/ph/documents/cdb/whooping_cough_broch.pdf

Dr David Dowling

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

The current outbreak of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) which commenced in Queensland in 2008 continues to spread. We have had several positive cases at the surgery over the last few weeks. It is important that all new born babies should be vaccinated against this illness. The Government is currently supplying free Pertussis vaccination to parents of new-borns. These vaccinations are available from our surgery.

I have added a brief information page on this debilitating illness, which can be viewed following this link.

Dr David Dowling

The 2010 Influenza Vaccination is now available. The surgery has a limited supply available for eligible individuals. The eligibility criteria for this free vaccination is listed on my 2010 Influenza Vaccination Program page.
If you are an eligible individual please attend promptly due to the limited supply of vaccinations we have received.

Dr David Dowling