ATAGI Vaccine Advice
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) provides advice to the Minister for Health and Ageing on the Immunise Australia Program and other related issues. In addition to technical experts, ATAGI’s membership includes a consumer and general practitioners.
Clinical advice for immunisation providers regarding the administration of 2011 trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines March 2011
The H1N1 pandemic influenza strain, which was in all the available southern hemisphere trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines during 2010, is again incorporated in the 2011 seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine formulation. In Australia and New Zealand during 2010, an increase in the incidence of high fevers and febrile convulsions occurred in children aged less than 5 years who received the Fluvax® (CSL) brand of the 2010 seasonal influenza vaccine.This document provides recommendations for the use, except where otherwise contraindicated, of the available 2011 trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines in children aged between 6 months and less than 10 years, and persons aged 10 years and older.
ATAGI's full advice is available here: (PDF 109 KB)
2010 ATAGI advice on the withdrawal of Panvax Junior
Stability testing by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of the pandemic influenza vaccine for children, Panvax H1N1 Junior,has shown a decline in potency of the product which is supplied in 0.25 ml pre-filled syringes. The potency of the vaccine is tested to ensure that it continues to produce an effective immunological response. If the potency of the vaccine were to decline further it would no longer be possible to be confident that this would be the case.The TGA has informed the manufacturer, CSL, that its registered 12 month shelf life can no longer be supported and the shelf life has been reduced to 6 months. As a result existing stocks of Panvax Jr should now be considered expired.
The decline in potency appears to be the result of particular characteristics of the H1N1 virus itself. Similar declines in potency have been identified internationally by other regulators and have led to reductions in shelf life for other brands of H1N1 monovalent vaccine.
The safety of the vaccine is not affected.
In Australia, the decline in potency is specific to the Panvax Junior vaccine which is supplied in 0.25 mL pre-filled syringes.
Panvax in multidose vials is not affected by the decline in potency, nor are the trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines all of which include an H1N1 component.
To ensure the vaccine is no longer administered, CSL is retrieving all stock from immunisation providers and vaccine distribution points. CSL will contact all immunisation providers to advise them of this issue and the retrieval process.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has developed detailed advice on the implications of the withdrawal of Panvax Jr for children 6 months to 3 years of age. ATAGI has advised that revaccination of children who have already received two doses of Panvax Junior is not necessary, as the potency of the vaccine administered to date is considered adequate to induce an immune response. If a child aged 6 months to < 3years of age is due to receive a second dose of H1N1 containing vaccine, this can be provided by using the age appropriate dose (0.25ml) obtained from a Panvax multi-dose vial. Alternatively, the 2010 seasonal influenza vaccines (Vaxigrip and Influvac) are also suitable for use.
ATAGI's full advice is available here: (PDF 160 KB)
Latest
- ATAGI Advice regarding the use of pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines in children <10 years of age (PDF 160 KB) (Updated 26 August 2010)
- ATAGI Statement: Clinical advice for immunisation providers on resumption of the use of 2010 trivalent seasonal vaccines in children less than 5 years of age, 30 July 2010
- Clinical summary - Summary of ATAGI recommendations (PDF 84 KB) (Updated 30 July 2010) See Latest CMO Advice
Other
- ATAGI advice on the Interchangeability of Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Vaccines used in Australia and Overseas (PDF 24 KB)
- ATAGI advice on the Recommended clinical protocol for the administration of pandemic (H1N1) influenza vaccine from multi-dose vials (MDV) for children aged >6 months to <3years and for all people aged >3 years (PDF 89 KB)
- ATAGI Advice regarding the use of influenza vaccines containing thiomersal (PDF 119 KB)
- ATAGI Advice regarding influenza, influenza vaccines and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (PDF 103 KB)
- ATAGI guidance on use of latex-containing 1 mL syringes from pandemic vaccination packs (PDF 31 KB)
- ATAGI statement on the use of MDVs (24 September 2009) (PDF 33 KB)
Medicare Statement for Pandemic Vaccination Services
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Page last modified: 16 June, 2011