Combining the annual flu shot with other vaccines -- particularly the pneumococcal PCV13 vaccine -- may increase a child's risk of a seizure associated with high fever.
It's a small risk of a scary but not very dangerous seizure. About one in 25 kids under age 5 get a febrile seizure (seizure associated with high fever). Getting the two vaccines together increases this risk by about one case per 1,600 double vaccinations in children aged 12 to 23 months.
The new data come from a CDC investigation of an apparent increase in febrile seizure in kids getting flu shots, first reported in January. Preliminary results of the investigation were reported at today's meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel of outside experts that recommends U.S. vaccine policies.
It's a small risk of a scary but not very dangerous seizure. About one in 25 kids under age 5 get a febrile seizure (seizure associated with high fever). Getting the two vaccines together increases this risk by about one case per 1,600 double vaccinations in children aged 12 to 23 months.
The new data come from a CDC investigation of an apparent increase in febrile seizure in kids getting flu shots, first reported in January. Preliminary results of the investigation were reported at today's meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel of outside experts that recommends U.S. vaccine policies.
"This adds perhaps 60 seizures per 100,000 children. And the good news is, if it were to happen, it would be on the day of or the day after vaccination, so parents can know what to look for,"Frank DeStefano, MD.
Source: WebMD, 23rd February 2011.
VAN UK's Comment: They think it's GOOD that seizures happen on the day of vaccination!?!
Febrile Seizures Associated with TIV & PCV13
The 2011-2012 inactivated influenza vaccine VIS states that, “young children who get inactivated flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) at the same time appear to be at increased risk for seizures caused by fever.”
ACIP chose to include this statement on the VIS to inform parents of this potential risk.
Increased rates of febrile seizures have been reported among children, especially those 12 through 23 months of age, who received simultaneous vaccination with TIV and PCV13, compared with children who received these vaccines separately. However, because there are risks associated with delaying either of these vaccines, ACIP does not recommend administering them at separate visits or deviating from the recommended vaccine schedule in any way.
Febrile seizures are not uncommon, occurring in 2% to 5% of all children; and they are generally benign.
Source: CDC Note to Providers. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/tiv-pcv-note.htm
ACIP chose to include this statement on the VIS to inform parents of this potential risk.
Increased rates of febrile seizures have been reported among children, especially those 12 through 23 months of age, who received simultaneous vaccination with TIV and PCV13, compared with children who received these vaccines separately. However, because there are risks associated with delaying either of these vaccines, ACIP does not recommend administering them at separate visits or deviating from the recommended vaccine schedule in any way.
Febrile seizures are not uncommon, occurring in 2% to 5% of all children; and they are generally benign.
Source: CDC Note to Providers. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/tiv-pcv-note.htm
