Infant Seizures Fluzone Vaccine Possible Cause

Both government agencies, FDA and CDC are investigating reports that Sanofi Fluzone flu vaccine association to febrile seizure in infants according to the FDA yesterday.

These reports had derived from the FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VARS). The reporting system alerts officials to the first sign of vaccine safety issues.

Febrile seizures are common, and around one in twenty-five children under age five will have at least one. These seizures are normally triggered by illnesses linked with a fever such as ear infection, cold, flu or measles. These seizures being trigger by vaccines are rare.

The seizures have been reported in children younger than two.

The FDA has stated there have been 42 cases reported since December 13th and both agencies were investigating if the vaccine may have caused the seizures or if other factors were at play.

The FDA is stating that all children have recovered and no lasting effects have been observed

However, reports to the VAERS system by parents and physicians do suggest there have been more seizure than usual among children receiving the Fluzone vaccine. This is the only vaccine which has been approved for children aged six to twenty-three months

A spokesperson for the FDA has stated 36 of the reported cases had occurred in babies and toddlers age range six months to two years with 10 serious cases. Also noted was the fact that 38 of the cases reported had happened within a day of receiving the Fluzone vaccine.

FDA spokesperson stress the fact that the VARS reporting system did not detect extra reports of seizures after the 2009-210 seasonal flu vaccine or the 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine.

The CDC is still adhering to their original recommendations that everyone older than six months obtain the vaccine.

Sanofi-Aventis, the pharmaceutical company for the vaccine had released in a statement currently there is no association between the vaccine and seizures that have been founded. The negative events after the vaccine may be casually linked to the vaccine or could be a coincidence.

The FDA is reminding the populace that the risk of severe illness caused by influenza is higher in children especially those under two years old. Estimations indicate around nine out of 10,000 children aged six to twenty-three months end up in the hospital each season for flu associated problems.

The FDA has posted Fluzone Vaccine Safety dated yesterday and may viewed online.

Symptoms of Febrile Seizure

Seizures occur in children with a fever of 102 degrees or higher. They may also happen when the fever is decreasing.

Symptoms of the seizure are large or small spasms or jerking movement which usually last for only a minute or two. The child may briefly lose consciousness, these seizures do not cause permanent neurological damage.

Around one third of children who have one will have another one. Less than 10% of children who have these seizures will end up with epilepsy.

The FDA has stated as soon as any new information on Fluzone safety will be released as soon as it is received.

Alternatives

Black Elderberry Liquid for kids (not under two)

Temp Assure (not under 6 months) used for fever

Echinacea /Golden Root Blackberry used to support the bodies immune system and is antibacterial

It is best to consult a qualified herbalist.

Chinese herbal formulas

A fully trained and licensed Traditional Chinese Practitioner should only prescribe these herbs.

Benefits:

Children tolerate them well.

Babies have no difficulty consuming herbal medicine
Sources:

Web MD

Reuters