The facts on the flu jab

The Department of Health and Ageing has advised all medical professionals against immunising children 5 years and under with the seasonal flu vaccine, after a series of adverse reactions around the country.

This directive follows the investigation into the death of a 2 year old girl in Queensland on April 9. Ashley Jade Epapara died 12 hours after the being given the flu vaccine, however, after an initial autopsy, health authorities say there is no indication it was the vaccine.
Yet there have been 15 confirmed cases in Queensland of children experiencing adverse reactions to the vaccine, such as convulsions and fever.

In Western Australia there have now been more than 250 confirmed cases.
Australia’s chief medical officer Professor Jim Bishop says the situation is being "urgently investigated by health experts and the Therapeutic Goods Administration".

"The TGA has contacted CSL Ltd to confirm which batches of vaccine were used in WA and is obtaining samples of the vaccine to test in its laboratories to determine if there are any abnormalities in the batches of vaccine used in WA," Professor Bishop says.
Melbourne-based company CSL denies there is a bad batch of vaccine.

However, Professor Bishop still advises the vaccine is safe and effective for all Australians over 5 years of age.