Febrile seizures after seasonal influenza vaccine in Australia
Australia’s regulatory authority provided a summary of the increased number of reports of fever and febrile convulsions in children aged <5 years following administration of the 2010 seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine (Fluvax) made by CSL (Parkville, Victoria, Australia). No clinical or epidemiological factors have yet been identified that explain the increase. Vaccine testing has shown no abnormalities, but testing continues. The Chief Medical Officer of Australia advised suspending the use of all 2010 seasonal influenza vaccines in healthy children aged <5 years. For children with medical risk factors, the Chief Medical Officer advised using monovalent A (H1N1) 2009 vaccine or seasonal 2010 vaccine made by other manufacturers. Australia will apprise GACVS of any additional information. GACVS has not been made aware of reports of increased fever or febrile convulsions from other 2010 seasonal vaccines but noted the importance of reviewing data on the use of the vaccines elsewhere in the southern hemisphere, as well as data that will be collected during the use of 2010 seasonal vaccines in the northern hemisphere.