Health alerts
Health alerts
Information on health alerts and product recalls of interest to GPs.
27/08/2010
Reduced shelf life for Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior
The Department of Health and Ageing informed GPs that stability testing by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of the pandemic influenza vaccine for children, Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior, has shown a decline in potency in the 0.25 ml pre-filled syringes.
03/06/2010Treatment using antivirals
3 June 2010 - The Department of Health and Ageing have issued new documents regarding the use of antiviral medications this winter, stating that GPs should prescribe antiviral medications using normal community pharmacy arrangements.
01/06/2010Chief Medical Officer: media alert - Seasonal Flu Vaccine remains suspended for young children without risk factors
1 June 2010 - After consideration of the results to date of a comprehensive investigation into the safety of the seasonal flu vaccine for young children, I have advised, that as a precaution, the suspension of seasonal flu vaccination should continue for healthy children under five years of age.
23/04/2010Chief Medical Officer: media alert - Seasonal Flu Vaccine and young children
23 April 2010 - Due to a spike in the numbers of young children in Western Australia experiencing fever and convulsions following seasonal flu vaccinations, Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop, is advising all GPs and immunisation providers to stop giving seasonal flu vaccine to children five years and under until a cause is established.
12/04/2010UPDATED: Summary of ATAGI dosage recommendations for pandemic H1N1 2009 and seasonal 2010 influenza vaccination for children aged >6 months to <10 years
Pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine is funded for all children and adults through the Pandemic H1N1 (2009) Vaccination Program. Seasonal influenza vaccine is funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) only for children at increased risk of complications from influenza infection as set out in The Australian Immunisation Handbook (9th Edition) pages 190-191.
12/04/2010H1N1 Influenza resource updates
On 24 March 2010, The Australian Government Chief Medical Officer wrote to Australian GPs with an update regarding the seasonal influenza vaccination. In addition, a new H1N1 Influenza Vaccination General Practice poster, brochure and fact sheet have been released.
01/04/2010Health alert: recall of products containing high levels of iodine
On 24 December 2009, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) advised people not to consume BonSoy soy milk. On 16 March 2010, FSANZ advised people not to consume Heng Fei Dried Seaweed. Testing of samples of these products showed unusually high levels of iodine. Information for GPs is now available at www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/recall-soymilk.
19/02/2010Advice on the Interchangeability of Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Vaccines used in Australia and Overseas
It is not advised to mix swine flu vaccine schedules as there are no data (safety or immunogenicity), particularly on mixing a non-adjuvanted with an adjuvanted vaccine or a live attenuated with inactivated vaccine.
18/02/2010H1N1 Influenza Vaccination General Practice Poster and Brochure have been released
The Australian Government has recently released a new brochure and poster for Australian General Practice.
18/02/2010H1N1 Update: Chief Medical Officer letter to GPs (PDF 185Kb)
The Australian Government Chief Medical Officer recently wrote to Australian GPs with an update of the H1N1 epidemic in Australia.
18/01/2010Guidelines for immunisation using Multi Dose Vials (MDV) video
This instructional program was developed by the RACGP. It adheres to and should be viewed in conjunction with the guidelines issued by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation on the use of multidose vials in the delivery of the H1N1 vaccine.
24/12/2009Health alert - High levels of iodine in BonSoy soy milk
BonSoy is a soy milk product distributed nationally in Australia. Tests have shown it to contain extremely high levels of iodine and consumption has been linked to clinical thyrotoxicosis and, less commonly, hypothyroidism. Iodine crosses the placenta and may cause foetal and neonatal hypothyroidism which can cause developmental problems in the newborn.
04/12/2009Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccine now approved for children 6 months to 9 years of age
The TGA has approved registration of the Australian-made Panvax H1N1 Vaccine Junior and its extension of the indications for Panvax® H1N1 to children from 6 months to 9 years.
03/12/2009Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Vaccination Program - Information for health professionals
The pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccination program is ongoing. The aim of the program is to provide free vaccine against pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza for all members of the community who wish to be vaccinated. Vaccinations started 30 September 2009.
02/11/2009Letter from Chief Medical Officer: Impact of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 on pregnant and postpartum women - 3.00pm 2nd November 2009
This letter from the Chief Medical Officer provides information regarding the impact of H1N1 on pregnant and postpartum women. The Chief Medical Officer encourages patients who are pregnant, or who are planning a pregnancy to be vaccinated against pandemic H1N1 2009.
30/10/2009Reporting adverse events following vaccination with Panvax H1N1
The Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) is encouraging medical practitioners to report any adverse events associated with the H1N1 pandemic vaccine to the TGA. Information on the process for reporting can be found on the TGA website.
13/10/2009Statement from Department of Health and Ageing on Medicare usage for provision of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Vaccination services provided by Medical Practitioners and Practice Nurses/Registered Aboriginal Health Worker (PDF 28Kb)
Statement has been provided by the Department of Health and Ageing on Medicare usage for provision of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
12/10/2009ATAGI advice regarding influenza, influenza vaccines and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (PDF 91Kb)
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released information in relation to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). The Pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine is not expected to result in any increased risk of GBS.
12/10/2009Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) guidance on use of latex-containing 1 mL syringes from pandemic vaccination packs
The Australian Technical Advisory Group for Immunisation (ATAGI) has released a statement on the guidance of using syringes that contain latex in the delivery of PanVax H1N1 vaccination to patients. This information is supported by the Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop in issuing a letter of advice to GPs.
07/10/2009Important information for GPs and practice staff from Professor Jim Bishop, Australian Government Chief Medical Officer
A short term adverse reaction has occurred at the time of vaccination in a person with an allergy to latex. However, the true cause of this event has not been determined and is currently being investigated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) through their normal process.
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