Influenza vaccine suspended in kids after severe reactions
23 April 2010
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will convene an expert scientific advisory panel to investigate adverse reactions to the seasonal flu vaccine following a spate of severe reactions among children in Western Australia.
It was revealed yesterday that 45 children younger than 5 years had presented to hospitals with high fever and in some cases febrile convulsions (seizures, or fits) after vaccination.
Doctors have been advised by the Federal Government to withhold the seasonal flu vaccine from all children younger than 5 years until further notice.
A spokeswoman for CSL — supplier of the seasonal flu vaccine — said the company was working with WA Health and the TGA to investigate the reported events in WA.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Jim Bishop said the hold on vaccinating young children was a precautionary measure and older children and adults could continue to be vaccinated.
WA Health Minister Dr Kim Hames announced yesterday that the State Government’s free flu vaccination programme had been temporarily suspended in under-5s.
Professor Bishop said the TGA had contacted CSL to confirm which batches of vaccine were used in WA and would obtain samples of the vaccine to test in its laboratories.
Last Reviewed: 23 April 2010
