Seasonal influenza vaccines for children

There have been reports in the media of differences between the United States Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices and the advice from the Chief Medical Officer in Australia regarding vaccination of children using the CSL-made seasonal influenza vaccine Fluvax.

The AMA notes that there are differences between the Australian National Immunisation Program targeting at-risk children and the American approaches to vaccinate all young children in seasonal influenza vaccination programs.

Since the advice of the Chief Medical Officer released in Australia in July, there have been no new concerns raised despite close vigilance.

The evidence shows that the vast majority of the increased febrile convulsion risk with Fluvax occurred in children under three.

The AMA supports the current Australian recommendations on seasonal influenza vaccines for children which are as follows:

Children aged from 6 months to less than 5 years may be vaccinated with Vaxigrip and Influvac, following a discussion of the risks and benefits of these vaccines with parents and guardians. This includes both children at risk of medical complications of influenza and healthy children.

Vaccination of children in this age group with Fluvax and Fluvax Junior is not recommended due to the identified increased risk of febrile convulsions.

Recommendations for the use of seasonal influenza vaccine including Fluvax in children 5 years and older and in adults have not changed.

Support Family Doctors petition

The AMA continues to run its patient petition urging the major parties to produce policies that preserve and promote general practice as the quality front line in primary care.

We have received many signatures for the petition, but more are needed to impress upon the Government that family doctors must be properly supported to care for patients.

If you have not done so, download a petition and ask your patients to add their signatures.

Signatures received before 30 September 2010 will be most helpful.

Petitions can be downloaded here.

Telemedicine an important component of a modern health system

The AMA welcomed Monday’s commitment from the ALP that, if elected, it would invest heavily in telemedicine to support and enhance health services as a part of a modern health system.

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said the investment would assist doctors to better use communications technology to provide services to patients who would otherwise have limited or no access to these services.

Dr Pesce said that there would need to be close consultation with the AMA and the medical profession, especially rural doctors, to ensure that telemedicine initiatives provide the maximum benefit to patients and communities.

The AMA would also like to see a corresponding commitment to attracting and retaining doctors in rural and remote communities to complement these important measures. Read more

AMA Vice President speech to the PHAA National Immunisation Conference

AMA Vice President, Dr Steve Hambleton, addressed the Public Health Association of Australia 12th National Immunisation Conference on Thursday.

Issues covered in Dr Hambleton's address included the National Immunisation Strategy and general practice, nurse incentive changes, establishing a whole-of-life immunisation register, and adverse event reporting.

Read Dr Hambleton's speech here.

Online resources on doctors’ health and well-being

The AMA has developed a web page that gives useful tips, information and resources and on doctors’ health and well-being.  Find out more