More than 100 babies and toddlers given FluMist in error

Health professionals are being reminded of the indicated age range of FluMist following 116 cases of the needle-free influenza vaccine being administered to children too young to be given this specific vaccine.

Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) identified 116 reports of FluMist being administered in error to children under two years of age in analysis undertaken in May.

The new vaccine delivered via nasal spray is indicated for the prevention of influenza in children and adolescents aged 2 years to less than 18 years.

Western Australia is among a number of states providing the vaccine for free to certain individuals.

Here, the state government has secured 130,000 doses of the new vaccine, making them free to those aged two years to under 12.

The TGA’s Database of Adverse Event Notifications does not specify which states or territories each of the reported cases occurred in.

While none of these reports was classified as serious the TGA issued a safety update on the issue on June 5 calling on health professionals to be alert to FluMist's indicated age range.

Early clinical trial data indicated increased rates of hospitalisation in children aged 6–11 months and wheezing in children aged 6–23 months following vaccination.

A number of patients over the indicated age range, in their 40s and 50s, are also listed within the database as having been given FluMist in error as well as one patient in their 70s.

The TGA advises that to minimise the risk of incorrect administration of FluMist, health professionals should confirm the child is 24 months or older before administering and carefully review the product information - including the indication, dose, method of administration and contraindications.