Use of seasonal influenza vaccines in children <10 years of age.

From 2010, all children with specified medical conditions are eligible for seasonal influenza vaccine under the National Immunisation Program. Children aged <3 years, with and without specific risk factors, have the highest incidence of hospitalisation from influenza¹.

Last year there was a large increase in the number of febrile seizures in young children following influenza vaccination. This was noted particularly in Western Australia, which was conducting a study of the benefits of a free influenza vaccination program for children aged 6months to 4 years. These reactions were associated with a single brand of vaccine (Fluvax®) and not with the others in use last year. Fluvax® was withdrawn from use in children last year and is no longer registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in young children. Other vaccines found to be safe in 2010 have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and are available for use in young children in 2011.

You can find out more about these in the statement on seasonal influenza vaccination for 2011, issued by the Australian Government's Chief Medical Officer (CMO) on 7 March 2011. Read his full statement here:  CMO_7 March_2011.pdf

In addition, the a full statement by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) which includes the rationale for the recommendations is available at http://www.immunise.health.gov.au

References

1. Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing ATAGI recommendations