Was the flu jab well tolerated in young children?

[wetwelly]

I have found somewhere locally who are offering the flu jab to under 5's. I have booked in my 3 yo and 13mth old today for the jab. I am 6 weeks pregnant and, although I had the single swine flu jab last December 09, I thought sensible to reduce the risk of my kids bringing it home.

Now I'm having a moment of anxiety about the kids! I found out that the clinic uses a vaccine called Enzira. This is the same vaccine Australia suspended half way through their season due to higher rates of febrile convulsions following jab..

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_118017.pdf

It has since been approved here but is still worrying..

www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Safetywarningsalertsandrecalls/Safetywarningsandmessagesformedicines/CON103043

Am I just being picky and should just accept that flu jabs are generally safe?

Positive stories of children's non-reactions needed urgently!!

sorry..

<a class="break-all" href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_118017.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">docs.google.com/viewer?url=www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_118017.pdf

My DD had the swine flu jab last year and was absolutely fine. She was 18m at the time.

My daughter has always had flu jabs since about the age of two and has never had any real probs, perhaps a swollen lump on her arm which was rather large but apart from that she been fine.

Whats worst, a wee reaction or ending up in intensive care with the flu?

dd2 has had flu jab since age 20 months, reactions ranging from nothing, to slightly sore arm, to (first one) slightly raised temp for a few hours. She actually reacts less than the adults (or fusses less)

Wetwelly, pls note:

Enzira (Pzifer) and CSL Biotherapies Generic Influenza vaccine (Pfizer) is not recommended for children under 5 years of age!
Children under five years of age should not be given Enzira vaccine from Pfizer or the Generic influenza Vaccine from CSL biotherapies (Pfizer), due to an associated increased risk of febrile convulsions.
Also Fluvirin is not recommended for use in children under the age of 4 years!

Sorry if I am too late....I have been doing a lot of research as I am 15 weeks pregnant and debating whether to get the vaccination. I too have looked up the safety of Enzira as this is the one being offered to me by my GP. I believe that the MHRA report you mention above is saying that in general the seasonal flu vaccinations do not cause an increase in febrile convulsions - but that includes all varieties (of which I think there are about 10) - so in essence they are saying the seasonal flu vaccine is safe for under 5's. However I believe the advice is still to try and avoid Enzira as the current official licensed product information still does not recommend this one in under 5's.

www.medicines.org.uk/EMC/medicine/20070/SPC/Enzira%C2%AE+Suspension+for+injection,+pre-filled+syringe+Influenza+vaccine+(split+virion,+inactivated)+PH.+Eur./

Hope this helps but if it is too late then I am sure your children will be fine and you would know by now if not.

My worry is if Enzira is not suitable for under 5's why is it ok for an unborn child - should I be worried about a similar reaction in the fetus?