Doctors in New Zealand have been advised against using the
influenza vaccine Fluvax on children following reports in
Australia of some cases of convulsions soon after jabs.
Australia's chief medical officer gave the same advice to
doctors in that country following concerns stemming from a
significant rise in the number of children developing a fever
after receiving the vaccine.
Western Australian Health Minister Kim Hames yesterday
suspended the state's free flu vaccination programme for
children under five after some recipients went into a febrile
convulsion - a fit caused by a high temperature.
New Zealand's Health Ministry chief advisor for child and
youth health, Pat Tuohy, said there wasn't a lot of
information at the moment, but "as a sensible precaution we
recommend that providers avoid giving Fluvax to children
under five until there have been further investigations".
"We still recommend that children at higher risk for flu
complications get immunised using other brands of the
vaccine," Dr Tuohy said. "Our experience during the 2009
pandemic showed that children are more likely to catch the
pandemic strain, and that a number became very unwell."
He said health providers and parents needed to be aware that
fever following immunisation was common.
"It's always important for people to keep an eye out for
symptoms in the 24 hours after they, or their child, are
vaccinated. In the event of fever, give an appropriate dose
of paracetamol or ibuprofen and keep the child cool - perhaps
by reducing the number of layers of clothing and sponging
with a damp cloth."
In the case of high fevers or convulsions parents were urged
to call Healthline or their GP.
Dr Tuohy said he was aware of three adverse reactions by New
Zealand children who had taken Fluvax, and that another
vaccine - Vaxigrip - should be used as an alternative. The
Health Ministry was only today made aware of the Australian
cases.
Over 260,000 Fluvax doses were administered in March and the
ministry said supplies were now likely to be low. More
supplies of Vaxigrip are expected from Europe next week.
The ministry is investigating the situation here and the
Therapeutic Goods Administration is investigating the
situation in Australia.
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