Doctors told to stop giving flu vaccine to children under five, one child has become seriously ill and about 45 suffered serious adverse

The Australian "News paper"

DOCTORS have been told to stop giving the seasonal flu vaccine to children under five amid a serious health scare in Western Australia.

Australia's chief medical officer Jim Bishop has issued the advice this morning.

``We suggest doctors and health professionals vaccinating children don't use the seasonal flu vaccine for the moment, until we can get the Therapeutic Goods Administration to investigate this in more detail,'' Dr Bishop told ABC TV.

At least one child has become seriously ill and about 45 suffered serious adverse reactions after receiving the free vaccine in WA in the past month.

“I'm advising all doctors today not to use it until we know a bit more,” Professor Bishop said.

"This may be part of the normal pattern once we see the whole picture, or it may be more than we would expect. Therefore I just think it's wise and precautionary not to use it in children under five."

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/doctors-told-to-stop-giving-flu-vaccine-to-children-under-five/story-e6frg8y6-1225857359203