Australian Medical Association

On 3 April 2012, the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer issued a reminder to immunisation providers of the influenza vaccines recommended by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) for use with children. Providers are reminded that Fluvax is not registered for use in children under 5 years of age in Australia and should not be given in this age group due to the increased risk of febrile convulsions. ATARGI recommends the use of Fluarix and Vaxigrip for children between 6 months and 10 years of age eligible for immunisation under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Children between 6 months and 10 years of age who are not eligible under the NIP may also use Influvac and Agrippal. All influenza vaccines may be used in anyone aged 10 years or over.

Providers should also note that there may be a small increase in the risk of fever and febrile convulsions with the co-administration of trivalent influenza and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in children 12-35 months of age. These vaccines may still be given together but providers should discuss this small risk with parents prior to vaccination. If the vaccines are given separately, there should be at least an interval of three days between each vaccine. Click here for recommendations for the use of 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine by brand and age group.

Information relating to the use of 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine in children can be found on this page.

The AMA is calling for a new Inquiry into the premature sexualisation of children in marketing and advertising.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that self-regulation by the advertising industry is clearly not working.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today called on the Government and health groups to place a renewed focus on child and youth health issues in 2012.

Children and young people confront a range of health issues including poor diet and obesity, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and bullying.  The degree to which these conditions have an impact can be influenced by socio-economic factors.

Bullying can be a common occurrence among children and adolescents, including new forms such as 'cyber-bullying' through online and electronic media, such as facebook, twitter, sms, and email. This AMA youth health brochure provides information for young people on what bullying is, how it can occur, and what can be done to address it. A particular focus is cyber-bullying.

MJA release - Experts warn that baby slings may cause suffocation, after a sling was implicated in the death of a 2-day-old boy in South Australia.

MJA release -Pregnant women and newborns should be routinely screened for cytomegalovirus (CMV) to prevent hearing loss and intellectual disability in infants, according to research in the Medical Journal of Australia.

CMV is a common viral infection that causes flu-like or no symptoms in healthy people. However, it can cause additional problems for pregnant women, particularly if the infection occurs for the first time during pregnancy, potentially resulting in hearing loss and intellectual disability in newborn babies.

MJA release - Children aged five and under – particularly those with intermittent viral-induced wheezing – should be treated with oral corticosteroids for asthma only if their wheeze is severe enough to require hospital admission, according to new guidelines.

MJA release - Lack of adequate supervision was a contributing factor in more than 70 per cent of fatal child drownings across Australia, according to a study in the latest Medical Journal of Australia.

MJA media release - Progress in childhood cancer is a good news story. Children treated for cancer have an overall 70-80 per cent cure rate. As the numbers of survivors of childhood cancer increases, studies of the long-term survivors allow research that can guide newer treatment protocols and further improve the outlook for newly diagnosed patients.

Compared with the general population, survivors of childhood cancer in Australia are at an increased risk of second cancers and an earlier death, according to an article published in the Medical Journal of Australia, which looked at a group of survivors treated between 1970 and 1999.

AMA Vice President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the AMA is greatly concerned that groups that are promoting discredited theories about immunisation are exposing Australians to the devastating effects of preventable illnesses.

Dr Hambleton said that recent media reports outlining the views of the Australian Vaccination Network (AVN) show that this organisation has drawn the fire of the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC).

“It is important for parents to have their children immunised. Immunisation saves lives,” Dr Hambleton said.