The UK Department of Health’s head of immunization published a letter asking the doctors to reserve alternative vaccines for children under five who need the seasonal flu vaccine. These instructions came after it was noted that there has been a 10 times rise in the cases of fits in children administered the particular flu jab than in normal children. This mentioned flu jab is made by CSL in Australia and in UK it is marketed by Pfizer.

One in every 100 children who were administered the flu jab suffered from febrile fits within few hours or days. However, the vaccination did not result in any side-effects in adults.

The vaccination is given against seasonal flu in children who are at high risk. The high risk factors include suffering from chronic asthma, previous history of respiratory infection or various long-term conditions.

The vaccines in market this year contain H1N1, one of the three strains recognized by WHO as the commonly circulated ones every year.

Reports from Australia show that there has been a high rise in febrile convulsion cases in children linked to Fluvax’s use. Fluvax will be marketed in UK by the name Enzira by Pfizer. It is supposed to be the generic influenza vaccine for the immunization season of 2010-11.

One in 20 children experienced febrile convulsions due to infection resulting in high fever along with unconsciousness and jerking limbs. The children even turn pale and their body shakes for a few minutes. These attacks can appear very upsetting for children and parents alike. Though, some children are more prone to these convulsions, they are very rarely dangerous.

The Department of Health has asked the general practitioners in UK to avoid prescribing the vaccine this flu season and instead opt for other alternative vaccines available in market and which are suitable for children under age 5.

Source:

Telegraph, UK