26 August 2010
Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, updated advice on the use of pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines in children <10 years of age This document replaces the ATAGI advice document ‘Use of pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines in children <10 years of age’ published in March 2010.
Note: On 30 July 2010 the Chief Medical Officer announced the resumption of use of the 2010 trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines of either Influvac® (Abbott/Solvay) or Vaxigrip® (Sanofi Pasteur) in children less than 5 years of age. See latest CMO Advice for Health Professionals at www.immunise.health.gov.au
Summary of recommendations: (from Immunisation section, Department of Health)
30 July 2010
On Friday 30 July, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Professor Jim Bishop issued an update on the safety of administering the seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine to healthy children from 6 months to under 5 years of age lifting the current suspension.
The advice therefore is that from 6 months of age children may be vaccinated with the appropriate dose of Vaxigrip® and Influvac® following a discussion of the risks and benefits of these vaccines with parents and guardians. This includes both children at risk of medical complications of influenza and healthy children. Vaccination of children in this age group with Fluvax® and Fluvax® Junior is not recommended due to the identified increase risk of febrile convulsions.
To access the CMO advice please follow this link: http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/immunise-temp-suspension#information
2 July 2010
The TGA has posted on its website a comprehensive statement on the investigation into flu vaccine in children under 5 years.
Link: http://www.tga.gov.au/alerts/medicines/fluvaccine-report100702.htm#fullreport
Previous Releases:
From DoH, Immunisation Program:
Previous advice suspending the use of seasonal influenza vaccine since 23 April 2010 in children aged five years and under has been modified as follows:
The 2010 free seasonal influenza vaccine program for children with medical risk factors (as detailed in the Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition) can continue as follows:
- Six months to under 5 years of age; the increased rate of fever and febrile convulsions should be discussed as part of the consent
process with the parent, and either Vaxigrip® or Influvac® can be administered with the dose adjusted according to age i.e. 0.25ml
for 6 months to under 3 years of age and 0.5ml from 3 years of age and over.- Healthy children under 5 years of age should not be vaccinated with the 2010 seasonal influenza vaccine. This group can receive the Panvax® H1N1 vaccine.
- Five years of age and over; any seasonal influenza vaccine may be used.
- Please contact the Immunisation Program if you require any assistance in this matter, either by email or Ph. 1300 882 008.
Earlier:
The TGA, NCIRS and all other players are working very hard to identify if there is something that is causing the apparent increase in febrile convulsions for those under 5 who have been inoculated with the seasonal flu vaccine this year. The immunisation program has been stopped and the TGA has been asked to report early next week on any developments relating to this program.
Subsequently, the Commonwealth, TGA and NCIRS have requested assistance getting accurate data from practices so they can assume a reasonable baseline for these vaccinations this year.
