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In April of this year, dozens of reports of febrile reactions (sometimes with convulsions) associated with Australia’s seasonal flu vaccine were reported in young kids.
An investigation was launched, and a temporary moratorium declared on vaccinating kids under the age of five.
Australia Investigating Adverse Vaccine Reactions
Australian Vaccine Investigation Widens
Over time, it became apparent that while the exact reasons for these febrile reactions remained elusive, that the problem was associated only with CSL’s Fluvax, and not with any other manufacturer’s vaccines.
Today, the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that the ban on vaccinating under-fives in Australia has been lifted since these levels of side effects have not been observed in children receiving competing brands Influvac or Vaxigrip.
Ban on flu vaccine for young kids lifted
July 30, 2010 - 4:09PM
Certainly good news, not only for kids in Australia, but for our own seasonal flu vaccination campaign which is due to kick off in September.
This year’s trivalent flu vaccine will contain antigens for the pandemic A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus, the newly emerging A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus, and B/Brisbane/60/2008-like Influenza B virus.
Although minor adverse affects (usually a mild fever, or localized swelling at the site of injection) are sometimes seen with flu shots, the vaccine itself has proven to be remarkably safe, and most years very effective.
Serious side effects are extremely rare.
Given the burden of mortality and morbidity that influenza places upon society, the CDC has been moving towards recommending nearly universal voluntary vaccination for those over 6 months of age in recent years.
This year, that will be the goal of the vaccination campaign. Lisa Schnirring at CIDRAP brings us the details.
CDC launches universal flu vaccination recommendation
Lisa Schnirring
Staff Writer
Jul 29, 2010 (CIDRAP News) – The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today endorsed its vaccine advisory group's recommendation for universal influenza immunization, as public health groups prepare to shift gears from pushing the pandemic H1N1 vaccine to drawing the public's attention to the new seasonal flu vaccine advice.
The CDC issued a comprehensive update on seasonal flu vaccination, which includes the new universal recommendation, in an early online edition of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). In February the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended seasonal flu immunizations for nearly everyone except babies younger than 6 months old.
Jul 29 MMWR report
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