Momtezuma Tuatara
23-04-10, 01:39 PM
because of high temperatures and seizures.
Note the bit about seizures being "treatable". :trainwreck:
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/flu-vaccination-ban-goes-national-after-fever-convulsions-in-children-20100423-tglp.html (http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/flu-vaccination-ban-goes-national-after-fever-convulsions-in-children-20100423-tglp.html)
Flu vaccination ban goes national after fever, convulsions in children
http://images.watoday.com.au/2010/04/23/1374895/article_vaccine-420x0.jpg
Doctors are being advised to stop giving the flu vaccine to children.
Australia's chief medical officer has told doctors to stop giving the seasonal flu vaccine to children.
The advice follows a decision last night by the WA government to suspend the free vaccination program over concerns the vaccine was causing high fevers and convulsions in young children.
"We suggest doctors and health professionals vaccinating children don't use the seasonal flu vaccine for the moment, until we can get the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to investigate this in more detail," Professor Jim Bishop told ABC TV.
He said the concerns stemmed from a significant rise in the number of children developing a fever after receiving the vaccine.
"We need more information about what’s happened in WA, but also what we can now find out from all the other states from their experience," Professor Bishop said.
"If this has been brought up as a possible side-effect of this drug, then we ought to at least suspend its use until we know more."
In light of the seasonal flu shot suspension, Professor Bishop suggested children get vaccinated against swine flu instead, because that could be a health risk this winter too.
The state government yesterday announced it was temporarily suspending its free flu vaccination program for children under five.
Perth mother of two Bea Flint said her 11-month old boy Avery had a seizure after receiving the first dose of the two-dose flu vaccination on Saturday.
Ms Flint said that after the 9am vaccination she noticed Avery had a minor temperature about 2pm. She treated him with Panadol and by Avery's 7pm bedtime he seemed "OK".
However, at 7.45pm, Avery started whimpering and moaning.
When Ms Flint got to his cot the baby had vomited and was lying on his side having a seizure.
"In the car driving to the hospital he was just whimpering," Ms Flint said.
"He couldn't cry - his head was hanging down in the car seat and he couldn't move.
"I was petrified - it was one of the worst experiences of my life."
By the time Avery arrived at St John of God Hospital in Murdoch, he was burning up with a fever of 39.5 degrees.
The doctor who treated Avery told Ms Flint her baby was the fifth child with similar symptoms admitted to the hospital that day.
Health Minister Kim Hames last night advised of the suspension as a precautionary measure.
He said the suspension came after a significant rise in the number of children who had developed a high temperature after receiving the vaccine.
He said some children had gone into febrile convulsions, a fit caused by a high fever, following the vaccinations.
Princess Margaret Hospital figures showed about 22 children had been brought to the hospital following febrile convulsions possibly linked to the vaccine in the past month.
Dr Hames said it was unclear if the fevers were related to the influenza vaccination but the precautionary measure was the most responsible course of action.
Fevers in most instances are treatable.
"People should give Paracetamol according to the instructions and tepid sponging to keep the temperature down." Dr Hames said.
"On rare occasions children can have a convulsion as the result of the high temperature and sometimes that can be prolonged, which can be a risk to the child."
He said parents should not take children under the age of five to be vaccinated against influenza until further notice.
WA executive director of public health Tarun Weeramanthri told radio 6PR that any adverse effects from the vaccines would only last 12 hours.
Perth father Liam said his 16-month-old daughter developed a very high fever just hours after being given the vaccination earlier this month.
"We woke up to hear her crying during the night, and when we went in to get her she was just roasting," he said.
"The fever was one of the highest she had ever had - she was hot to the touch - and she was clearly very unhappy.
"I am a big believer in vaccinations, but this one is a real concern."
Note the bit about seizures being "treatable". :trainwreck:
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/flu-vaccination-ban-goes-national-after-fever-convulsions-in-children-20100423-tglp.html (http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/flu-vaccination-ban-goes-national-after-fever-convulsions-in-children-20100423-tglp.html)
Flu vaccination ban goes national after fever, convulsions in children
http://images.watoday.com.au/2010/04/23/1374895/article_vaccine-420x0.jpg
Doctors are being advised to stop giving the flu vaccine to children.
Australia's chief medical officer has told doctors to stop giving the seasonal flu vaccine to children.
The advice follows a decision last night by the WA government to suspend the free vaccination program over concerns the vaccine was causing high fevers and convulsions in young children.
"We suggest doctors and health professionals vaccinating children don't use the seasonal flu vaccine for the moment, until we can get the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to investigate this in more detail," Professor Jim Bishop told ABC TV.
He said the concerns stemmed from a significant rise in the number of children developing a fever after receiving the vaccine.
"We need more information about what’s happened in WA, but also what we can now find out from all the other states from their experience," Professor Bishop said.
"If this has been brought up as a possible side-effect of this drug, then we ought to at least suspend its use until we know more."
In light of the seasonal flu shot suspension, Professor Bishop suggested children get vaccinated against swine flu instead, because that could be a health risk this winter too.
The state government yesterday announced it was temporarily suspending its free flu vaccination program for children under five.
Perth mother of two Bea Flint said her 11-month old boy Avery had a seizure after receiving the first dose of the two-dose flu vaccination on Saturday.
Ms Flint said that after the 9am vaccination she noticed Avery had a minor temperature about 2pm. She treated him with Panadol and by Avery's 7pm bedtime he seemed "OK".
However, at 7.45pm, Avery started whimpering and moaning.
When Ms Flint got to his cot the baby had vomited and was lying on his side having a seizure.
"In the car driving to the hospital he was just whimpering," Ms Flint said.
"He couldn't cry - his head was hanging down in the car seat and he couldn't move.
"I was petrified - it was one of the worst experiences of my life."
By the time Avery arrived at St John of God Hospital in Murdoch, he was burning up with a fever of 39.5 degrees.
The doctor who treated Avery told Ms Flint her baby was the fifth child with similar symptoms admitted to the hospital that day.
Health Minister Kim Hames last night advised of the suspension as a precautionary measure.
He said the suspension came after a significant rise in the number of children who had developed a high temperature after receiving the vaccine.
He said some children had gone into febrile convulsions, a fit caused by a high fever, following the vaccinations.
Princess Margaret Hospital figures showed about 22 children had been brought to the hospital following febrile convulsions possibly linked to the vaccine in the past month.
Dr Hames said it was unclear if the fevers were related to the influenza vaccination but the precautionary measure was the most responsible course of action.
Fevers in most instances are treatable.
"People should give Paracetamol according to the instructions and tepid sponging to keep the temperature down." Dr Hames said.
"On rare occasions children can have a convulsion as the result of the high temperature and sometimes that can be prolonged, which can be a risk to the child."
He said parents should not take children under the age of five to be vaccinated against influenza until further notice.
WA executive director of public health Tarun Weeramanthri told radio 6PR that any adverse effects from the vaccines would only last 12 hours.
Perth father Liam said his 16-month-old daughter developed a very high fever just hours after being given the vaccination earlier this month.
"We woke up to hear her crying during the night, and when we went in to get her she was just roasting," he said.
"The fever was one of the highest she had ever had - she was hot to the touch - and she was clearly very unhappy.
"I am a big believer in vaccinations, but this one is a real concern."