Nation-wide Flu Vaccine Ban for Children Under 5

[JellyBean]

Hi Everyone,

As we cannot post links here I have cut and pasted the article from The Courier Mail released thismorning. Those of you who have listened to the news today have probably already heard. Sounds very much like the Gullian-Barre Syndrome outbreak following the 1976 flu vaccine.... of course those with compromised immunity (ie born prem) will be at increased risk than those with more developed immune systems.

Flu vaccine ban for children under 5 after kids fall ill in Perth
Rod Chester From: The Courier-Mail April 23, 2010 9:11AM

AUSTRALIAN health authorities have announced a nation-wide ban on children under 5 being vaccinated for the seasonal flu.
The move comes after Western Australian health authorities reported a batch of children under five suffered high temperatures and convulsions after being vaccinated.
Australia's chief medical officer Jim Bishop this morning said the recommendation not to give the vaccine to young children was a “precautionary measure”.

"Until we know more we've suggested that we don't use that [seasonal flu vaccine] for the moment in children under five," he said on ABC radio this morning.
"I'm advising all doctors today not to use it until we know a bit more.
"This may be part of the normal pattern once we see the whole picture, or it may be more than we would expect. Therefore I just think it's wise and precautionary not to use it in children under five.
“The first thing is to find out if this is an aberration due to just an aggregation of cases or is something important.
So far health authorities in other states have not reported any problems, however Professor Bishop says that could be because WA has a particularly strong program on encouraging young children to be vaccinated.

Prof Bishop said the van did not extend to the swine flu vaccine that could still be given as a separate injection.

He said other groups at high risk of flu, particularly the elderly and pregnant women, should continue to be vaccinated for the seasonal flu.
Prof Bishop says one of the first steps was to identify whether the problem was associated with particular batches or was a wider problem.

[Cally]

Mmm, DD and I have an appointment on Tuesday for our jabs. Will be interesting to see what the doctor says!

[AnyDream]

I find it interesting to note that WA is the only state that is offering the flu vaccine free for young children this year...perhaps this high aggregation of cases reflects a higher take-up of the vaccines in this group...I wonder whether a similar number of reactions has happened in other areas but not been seen as statistically significant because of a lower overall vaccination rate?

Anyway, I'm feeling more and more grateful to hmn who worded us up on this as early as a good week ago.

[Sequoia]

We're in WA and DS had a terrible reaction to the combined swine flu and normal flu vax 3 weeks ago, many of his little friends also had at least a temp. DS had a temp and vomitting. A 15mo around here had a temp of 39.8 and went to hospital.

Our local child health centre was told it could just be the batch. I'm pregnant and I didn't have it but another pregnant friend did and she had no reaction.

[Liz]

Wow that's interesting. Thanks for posting.

I'm amazed it's not extended to the Swine Flu vax.. as haven't they been saying the swine flu vax is as 'safe' as a seasonal flu shot? hmmm

[black_rose]

So glad I didn't listen to my mum, she was pushing for us to give it to both our girls. No way we wanted to any way but she works in the health industry and she kept saying how we should get it. I would rather let them build up their immune systems and my gp didn''t recommend it either.

[Nuddle]

He said other groups at high risk of flu, particularly the elderly and pregnant women, should continue to be vaccinated for the seasonal flu.

does anyone else just shake their head at this? it makes kids sick, yet lets inject pg women....

[willow5]

I'm amazed it's not extended to the Swine Flu vax.. as haven't they been saying the swine flu vax is as 'safe' as a seasonal flu shot? hmmm

I heard this morning on the news twice that the ban included the swine flu vax, having said that, the reports aren't always 100% I guess.

[curlygirl]

Oh great, now they ban the vaccination
I wish I didn't take DD to get her flu fax, we had horrible nights with temp up to 40C, she was whimpering and vomiting everything that we tried to push down. we finally had to rush her out at 2 in the morning and came back with a pack of panadol. Yes, she's fine on the 3rd day, but temp that high is very very terrifying!

[Liz]

does anyone else just shake their head at this? it makes kids sick, yet lets inject pg women....

Yeah... I wonder about this too. Is it possible for a baby in utero to have a fever and no one know? Or is their body temp regulated by the mum?

[Trillian]

I would have thought it would be regulated by the mothers body temp Liz, but it is very very worrying indeed and if I were pg, I would not have it.

All I will say about it is how long before the propaganda starts?

[Liz]

You're probably right Trillian. now I think about it.. when Kayla was prem they monitored her body temperature, as that was something they can have problems with regulating themselves. So they probably are reliant on the mother's body temperature.

[BellyBelly]

Always have been against this vaccine and no matter if my kids are 5 or 15, they aint getting it! Nor gardasil... or anything else unless they medically need it.

[LittleB+1]

Have just been doing a little bit of research in regard to getting my DD vaccinated with the seasonal flu or just the swine flu regime of 2 doses. I am pro vaccinating but within reason and definately only if I am confident it is safe and has been extensively tested. The swine flu and flu vaccines have been a huge debate for me for many years ( must add I am a Nurse and work in the high risk area of Neonatal Intensive Care (Prem bubs).

I am not happy with the requirement that if I were to get my DD vaccinated with the seasonal flu vaccine (which includes swine flu strain) that because she has never had it before she would require 2 doses of the multi strain vax 28 days apart I dont know about anyone else but that sounds like a HUGE hit on my 18 month olds small little body and I feel sick just thinking about it.

I am swinging towards the single strain swine flu vax that still does require 2 doses 28 days apart as it is just one strain my poor little baby will have to build immunity against at one time. That being said, I am not happy that it has been tested effectively in regard to adequate dosing amounts eg, weight, age... Plus, it came out awfully quickly!!

I guess with this ban now I have a bit more time to research and find the right decision. I had the seasonal flu vax, the only time I have, many years ago when I was a student nurse and still contracted Influenza A! I was sick for months and months (I am an asthmatic, which was why I got it) so I wont be getting it again.

Thats my 2 cents, is a bit bigger post than I expected. Sorry

[Nicole S]

My DS had the swine flu shot on Tuesday and that night had a temp of 38.5 but the next day was so sick and vomited like I have never seen.
I am so thankful that on Tuesday when the Doctor advised me that there was a combined vaccine I decided just to stick to the swine flu only.
Truly so scary being a parent with your little one gets sick!!

[Mrs Jak]

[QUOTE=JellyBean;2280030]
Sounds very much like the Gullian-Barre Syndrome outbreak following the 1976 flu vaccine.... ]

I've only seen on the news about reactions such as temp/febrile convulsions and vomiting. (very scary for parents all the same) Nothing about GB syndrome though. Sorry, I really don't mean to be rude, I'm just wondering how you could liken it to the 1976 'outbreak' of GBS?

When I first read your post, I was very alarmed when I saw your reference to GB syndrome. I suffered post natal anxiety after the birth of my son last year around when swine flu was around and had trouble bonding with him because I thought he might die from it, so I am quite sensitive to alarming headlines or opinions like that. I'm also sensitive because I have had the Swine Flu vacc and am pregnant and it was a really hard decision for me. (Just explaining my background, so you can see where I'm coming from, but I do still appreciate your post)

But back to the actual posted topic...

How terrible for the parents who have agonised over whether or not to get the current seasonal flu vacc and then to have to go through their child/baby having an adverse reaction

I didn't get the SF vacc for our 1 year old, but did for 5 year old and myself, as I am pregnant and so far no problems.

[Visitor6]

It's important to go to the official sources media-if you really value the health of your little ones at least find credible and complete information as below from bothe the TGA and The Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer

Western Australian reports of adverse reactions to 2010 seasonal flu vaccine in children
23 April 2010 Therpeutic Goods Administration

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is investigating reports of an increase in adverse events to the seasonal flu vaccine in Western Australia (WA), where all children 6 months to 5 years have been offered a free seasonal flu vaccination.
The pattern and rate of adverse reactions reported by WA have not been seen in other states, and the TGA will test batches of the vaccine used in WA for any abnormalities.
Other states and territories seasonal flu vaccination programs have focused on individuals in high risk categories.
The TGA is investigating the WA data to determine whether the adverse reactions reported in WA relate to the vaccine, or the WA program delivery.
However, until it can be established what is causing the rise in adverse events in some children in WA, Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop, is writing to all immunisation providers to advise them not to administer seasonal flu vaccinations to all children 5 years of age and under until further notice.
What the TGA is doing

The TGA has contacted the manufacturer, CSL Ltd, to confirm which batches of vaccine were used in WA and is obtaining samples of the vaccine to test in its laboratories to determine if there are any abnormalities in the batches of vaccine used in WA.
States and territories have been asked to report any adverse events related to seasonal influenza urgently to the Therapeutic Goods Administration. States and territories have also been asked to provide details on batch numbers and type of vaccine.
The TGA is urgently convening an expert scientific advisory panel to review the information from WA, and is seeking additional information from the manufacturer, CSL Ltd, and from regulatory colleagues internationally.
What parents and caregivers should do

If you have concerns because your child has received the seasonal flu vaccination please contact your doctor. Reported adverse reactions include fever, vomiting and febrile convulsions.
Whether there are any implications for swine flu vaccine

At this stage there do not appear to be implications for the swine flu vaccine Panvax®. Professor Bishop's advice relates only to the seasonal flu vaccination program for children 5 years of age and under.
It is safe to have the Panvax® H1N1 vaccine, even if you are already immune to the virus, just as it is safe to get a seasonal influenza vaccination if you've already had seasonal flu.
The TGA's assessment and the advice of its expert committees is that Panvax® and Panvax H1N1 Junior® are safe, effective vaccine for prevention of the H1N1 influenza.
Swine flu vaccination as alternative to seasonal flu vaccine




Panvax® H1N1 vaccine only protects you against the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus. People can still be infected by seasonal influenza viruses circulating in the community. To reduce the risk of influenza during Australia's winter months people should still get the seasonal flu vaccine, particularly if they are in a high risk seasonal flu group. High risk categories include:

• People aged 65 years and over;
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over; and
• Pregnant women.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Professor Jim Bishop AO

MD MMed MBBS FRACP FRCPA
Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer

MEDIA STATEMENT

23rd April 2010

Seasonal Flu Vaccine and young children

Due to a spike in the numbers of young children in Western Australia experiencing feverand convulsions following seasonal flu vaccinations, Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop, is advising all GPs and immunisation providers to stop giving seasonal flu vaccine to children five years and under until a cause is established.

"This is a precautionary measure while the matter is being urgently investigated by health experts and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)," Professor Bishop said.

"Until it can be established what factors are causing the apparent rise in fevers in some children in WA, I am writing to all immunisation providers to advise them not to administer seasonal flu vaccine to all children 5 years of age and under until further notice."

Professor Bishop said the medicines regulator, the TGA, is investigating the WA data as a matter of urgency to determine whether the adverse reactions reported in WA relate to the vaccine, or whether factors related to the program delivery in WA are involved.

"The TGA has contacted CSL Ltd to confirm which batches of vaccine were used in WA and is obtaining samples of the vaccine to test in its laboratories to determine if there are any abnormalities in the batches of vaccine used in WA," Professor Bishop said.

"The TGA will be urgently reviewing data from WA Health about the adverse events and the vaccine distribution data to see if the rates of fever and convulsions are truly higher than expected. The TGA is convening an expert scientific advisory panel to review the

information from WA, and is seeking additional information from the manufacturer, CSL Ltd, and from regulatory colleagues internationally.
"TGA will test batches of the vaccine used in WA for any abnormalities.
"The Department of Health and Ageing has sought advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. which is currently reviewing the available information on cases and the Department will be seeking its further advice. States and territories have been asked to report any adverse events related to seasonal influenza urgently to the Therapeutic Goods Administration. States and territories have also been asked to provide details on batch numbers and type of vaccine."

Professor Bishop said people over five years of age can continue to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza as per usual. Flu can be a serious disease especially in people who are in high risk categories including people aged 65 years and over; all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over and pregnant women.

The Commonwealth Government provides the seasonal flu vaccine free for these at risk groups.
Professor Bishop said that there do not appear to be implications for the swine flu vaccine Panvax®.

"It is safe to have the swine flu vaccine. The TGA’s assessment of clinical trials and the advice of its expert committees is that Panvax® is a safe, effective vaccine for prevention of the H1N1 influenza.

“It is expected that the dominant flu this winter season will be swine flu and the specific
Panvax vaccine is available free for all Australians.”

Media contact: Kay McNiece, 0412 132 585

[JellyBean]

Yep - they are investigating the batch that has been rolled out here in WA, and the response by the medical community has been swift. Sorry, but I don't find anything particularly commendable about that. Would we expect anything less?

And as for the vaccine not being tested, there really is no way to safely test a vaccine on a child. Who is going to subject their child in an experiment to check if a vaccine is safe? We don't know what the effects are going to be until the vaccine has been administered - and by that point it may be too late for some. Someone has to be the guinea pig. Thanks to the medical community and media push, it is a large portion of the Australian public.

Received a call from my BIL last night who was concerned for my little ones.... turns out the parents of the little 1 yr old girl in a coma are good friends of theirs. Understandably they are really shaken up about this. The girl suffered high temp, vomiting, with seizures before going into the coma. Perfectly healthy girl prior to receiving the vax. Things are not looking good for her but we are keeping her in our prayers and would appreciate any of you out there to do the same.

XX