09 July 2010 Update on seasonal influenza vaccine suspension
In April, the Australian Government suspended the use of seasonal flu vaccine for children younger than five. The suspension occurred in response to a series of febrile convulsions in young children in Western Australia after receiving seasonal influenza vaccination. After extensive investigation, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has concluded that, while there has been an excess of fever and febrile convulsions in children younger than five, the overall risk-benefit balance of the seasonal flu vaccine remains positive and the biological basis for the excess cases of fever and febrile convulsions remains unclear. For this reason, it is considered appropriate to continue to reserve the use of the seasonal flu vaccine to children younger than five in whom the risks of a possible febrile reaction are considered to outweigh the benefits of vaccination. However, parents should be reassured that routine childhood immunisations should be continued as normal and that Australia has a safe and effective vaccination program with high quality surveillance processes in place. Visit www.tga.gov.au/alerts/medicines/fluvaccine-report100702.htm.
M5 Project - RACGP men's health initiative helping men to help themselves
M5 encourages men and those who care about them to recognise the importance of men forming an ongoing relationship with a GP.
