Swine flu jab causes child fever

8^th December 2009 - Doctors and parents are being advised to look out for signs of fever in young children after they receive the second dose of the swine flu vaccine, Pandemrix.

The warning comes from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). The Agency says it has reviewed data from manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline on the second dose of Pandemrix given to children aged from six months to three years.

The data shows:

•         A higher proportion of children with fever above 38°C

•         Increased soreness at the injection site

•         More drowsiness, irritability and loss of appetite

EMEA says prescribers and parents should monitor the temperature of the vaccinated child and, if necessary, take measures to lower the fever (eg by giving paracetamol).

Millions of doses

Pandemrix is the principle H1N1 pandemic vaccine prescribed in the UK. GlaxoSmithKline have delivered 14.9 million doses for use in the UK. Children aged between six months and five years are currently being offered the swine flu jab as part of a programme aimed at giving protection to priority groups.

Current advice is for children to receive two half-doses of the swine flu vaccine.

However, the Department of Health says it is now seeking advice about whether the second dose is needed for children.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health says "Our current guidance is for children under 10 to be given two half doses, at least three weeks apart. However, we are now asking the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) for their advice on whether one half dose of the Pandemrix vaccine is sufficient.”

Effective vaccine

EMEA also says that early signs about the swine flu jab in children are positive.

The study shows, the Agency says in a press statement, “that a single dose of vaccine triggered a good immune response in young children, but that the second dose further increased the immune response”.

The Department of Health spokesperson said "It's good news that such a strong response is shown after just a half dose of the Pandemrix swine flu vaccine is given to children.”

Referring to the decision to seek advice about how many doses children need, the spokesperson says that “New guidance will be developed as necessary.”

No change yet

However, pending any decision by the JCVI, the current advice remains for children to receive two half doses of the vaccine to achieve maximum immunity.

A Department of Health spokesperson comments that "The vaccine is our best defence against swine flu. More than 10 million doses of the Pandemrix vaccine have been given across the EU, including to children, and no unexpected safety concerns have emerged."

The European Medicines Agency also recommends that doctors “should continue vaccination of young children according to the recommendations given by the health authorities in each Member State”.

Children under the age of five have so far been the worst hit by the swine flu pandemic. Last week the chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, published figures showing there were 191 children under the age of five with swine flu in hospital in England, 19 of them in critical care.

The BMJ reported this week that no agreement had yet been reached with GPs over the funding for immunising all children between six months and five years.