Flu vax risks in under 5 y.o.?

[~Kaz~]

Does anyone know what the risks are of giving a flu vax to a 2 year old? I am getting conflicting medical advice about this and want to do some independent research - are there any decent websites or research out there? I'm talking about the current winter flu shot.

(and before anyone has a go at me for even considering a vax like this with my 2 year old, DP has cancer and due to his treatment he is about to have no immune system for months. DS is in childcare 4 days a week. This winter, contracting the flu or even a bad cold will be life threatening for DP so I have to carefully weigh up the risks/benefits of all scenarios).

TIA.

[melbel]

It is not allowed for under 5 year olds as far as I am aware....after the deaths and children left with seious brain damage in WA last year it was withdrawn as a vaccine for anyone under five, the risks of serious side effects being deemed too great even though the vaccine has since been modified. I was told my GP he would not give it my bubba.....

[megs]

I was at the Dr today and asked about having the flu vax for myself. She said at the moment their was too much conflicting information and that for pregnant women and children under 5 it is not advised unless they are in the very high risk category.

Hope that helps

[~Kaz~]

Ok thanks. I didn't realise it would be related to what happened in WA because I thought it was newly developed each year on the basis of the northern hemisphere flu's.

DPs treating doctors are saying to get it. They obviously don't know it has been withdrawn and are putting DP's health first. DS's medical centre said he can't get it without doctor permission. Other's have just said it's "not recommended". It's hard to know what to do.

[AliBaby]

Hi hun, I know you are looking out for everyone in your family and how serious it could be for DP if J were to bring home the flu. FWIW I know that westmead children's hospital were doing case studies this year on the flu shot with under 5's They came to DD's CC and were wantng to test half the kids to see if it made a difference over the winter cold/flu season.

I didnt have DD done but I am sure they must have some data so ringing the hospital might be a good option I spoke with the lady and she did say that it is a new vaccine and what actually caused the deaths over in WA was the batch of vaccines. I still was unsure so just didnt get DD done but I know your circumstances are completey different (not saying you would but J at risk, just that it could be a good thing for you guys).

Found this on The Australian

The 2011 flu jab, to be made available from Tuesday, will be identical to last year's world-first combination of the swine flu with two strains of seasonal flu. The vaccine was banned for under-fives last April after it triggered febrile convulsions.

The TGA has approved six brands of flu vaccine to be used this winter, but recommended that only two - Influvac and Vaxigrip - be used in children younger than 10.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation states in its latest clinical circular that it does not recommend Fluarix and Agrippal vaccines for children younger than 10 because "it was used in Australia last year and there is no experience of their use in Australian children".

A third brand, Intanza, has been approved for adult use only.

ATAGI says the biggest brand, Fluvax - manufactured by Australian drug giant CSL - has not been approved for use in children younger than five.

It should be used in the under-10s only as a last resort, ATAGI says, "when no timely alternative vaccine is available and parents are informed of the potential increased risk of fever".

Risk of fits prompts bans of four flu jabs | The Australian

Does daycare know how important it is that J doesnt bring home colds and flus? They may be a little more dilligent about sending home kids who are sent to daycare sick.

Big

[megs]

Is there a medical health board or someone you could contact. You are in a hard situation given your husbands illness, but then you wouldn't want to expose your son to something potentially harmful either.

Hope you can get some clear answers from somewhere.

[melbel]

The fluvax had never really been given to children under 5 before last year and all the panic about the swine flu prompted some states to introduce it for under fives )not all states did this) so it was a shock when there were so many reactions....each year's fluvax is basically the same components, they just add the current flu strains to the mix, but they are made to the same basic formula. This year's fluvax contains swine flu in the mix which is partly why they are not recommending for under fives, and also because they are not really sure which component of the vaccine caused the adverse reactions in WA in the first place.

It's a really tough call for you hun...you really need to talk to someone in infectious diseases and look at what the actual risk are of your son contracting the flu versus the risk of reactions etc......

[AliBaby]

Just following up from your last post.

There are two recommended brands for children under 10 that are different from the brand that was used in WA last year.

Also I think your circumstances would be considered when the doctors decide whether or not DS is suitable for it.

[LimeSlice]

As an aside, make sure you up his vitamin c and zinc intake to help prevent illness in the first place, and support it by ensuring he is eating enough fresh fruits and veg, especially greens.
DD was too young when mum had cancer to get the flu shots etc, so we had to play the prevention game.

[~Kaz~]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all of your comments and thoughts. I know next to nothing about flu shots cause we don't normally bother and go with prevention as well plus DP and I never really get it anyway.

Ali - the CC centre know about DP's situation. This is such a small town that one of DS's carers was working an extra shift at the hossy as a nurse during one of his first investigations back in September/Oct last year There are no such things as secrets here. They are saying they will def alert me early if they have an outbreak of anything, the problem is that there is usually that period of contagious time before symptoms so it might be too late. I am serious considering just pulling him out of care and going on leave for a few months over winter but it's whether we can afford it or not. He has already used up all his sick days for the year as it is with all our travelling to the city.

This feels really tricky and I want to make the right choice for everyone. DP is saying not to put DS at any risk on his behalf....

I will probably start making some calls to the health dept tomorrow.

[AnyDream]

Kaz, very tricky situation. The recommendation this year is for under 5's not to get the fluvax. It is exactly the same formulation that caused problems last year. However doing a quick google I found the govt recommendations here: 2011 government seasonal influenza vaccine information: Immunisation - Victorian Government Health Information, Australia
It looks as if there are some alternative pediatric formulations available that can be used and this is what you need to discuss with your care providers.

[~Kaz~]

Thanks Marydean, I have been googling my state health dept, the TGA and some of the immunisation bodies and basically found the same recommendations that you and Alibaby did. It's interesting that they are recommending Vaxigrip or Influvac in children between 6 months and 10 years, not 5years and that Fluvax should only be used between 5-10 if there is no other alternative.

Apparently they are smaller doses and kids are given 2 shots one month apart. We need to make a decision soon.

[JellyBean]

Hi Kaz,

I would suggest building his immunity with a natural supplement which includes a full spectrum of digestive probiotic flora (immunity begins in the gut) and organic unprocessed foods. The probiotics (frinedly bacteria) are particularly important if he has been exposed to antibiotics.

Google MiEssence InLiven to see what I'm talking about. My boys have had exceptional health since they started taking it on a regular basis. My eldest has not had so much as a sniffle in 11 months now (he's only 3), despite regularly being around kids with runny noses, coughs etc at playgroup. It's certainly true that many parents do not honour the quarantine method of infection control for their children, which is a real shame - so you may wish to be cautious of such places whilst DH goes through his treatment. Is your DH also undergoing complementary treatment to support his allopathic treatment? Research supports the success rates for cancer treatment that is supported/complemented by natural therapies/intensive nutritional regimes. Some Naturopath's specialise in this field, and there are quite a number of oncologists who now recommend complementary treatment too - particularly the intensive nutritional element.

As a side note, you may be interested in the book Chemical Free Kids by Sarah Lantz, and apply the principles of the book in your home to limit your exposure to immunity-killing substances. You may also be interested in the book listed in my sig. Over 1000 referenced studies in there about vaccination. I personally believe that strengthening the immunity of the host (the person) via natural means is the single greatest defence against disease, next to sanitation. It has certainly been the case in my (unvaxed) family! :-)
Best wishes to your family as you go through this difficult time.

[~Kaz~]

thanks for your post JellyBean. I will check out the stuff you mention. I would probably tend to agree with you and give that a go but my concern is that we only have a few weeks until a critical period in DP's treatment. He will then be rebuilding his own immune system over the next few months. At first they have told us he will be so sick and is almost 100% going to get mouth ulcers and infections so eating won't be a high priority for him and they may even need to feed through a tube if it's really bad so in the short term, nutrition isn't something we can do much about. Long term it's likely we/he will make changes. He's done heaps of reading about cancer and the links to diet and environmental toxins etc.

I will look into that stuff for DS anyway I think because even if he doesn't catch anything (or pass it on) in the next few months he's only 2 and winter goes for a very long time here.

[Nai]

Kaz - I know my friend who is a GP has given her 2yo and 5yo the flu vax this year (and last year too) with no problems if that helps you at all.

[Heaven]

Sorry I'm no help Kaz, I have no idea what I'd do, such a hard decision

[Cally]

DD had the flu vax this year, no problems whatsoever. The doctor made the point that she had to have a certain brand (Influvac), but that's what the pharmacist had anyway.