According to a recent statement made by the medical officials from Europe, children who have received second vaccination injection against the disease of swine flu are likely to develop fever. As per EMEA or European Medicines Agency, parents need to monitor their children’s temperature, especially if they have received a second dose of swine flu vaccine.

According to EMEA, the second dose of Pandemrix, the influenza vaccine, leads to increased reactogenicity, which was unexpected as it was not visible with mock up vaccines. It was apparent only after GlaxoSmithKline; the manufacturer released a fresh data. This warning can result in a shift of the Department of Health’s position, who suggest that only one dose of the vaccine is sufficient for younger children. In contrast to the adults, kids are given 2 half dose shots with a gap of 3 weeks.

As per the notice, the parents and care takers of the young children less than 6 years of age should be careful about occurrence of fever in their children, especially if they have been vaccinated with Pandemrix. This kind of fever can be as high as more than 100.4º F. The temperature of the child should be monitored after each vaccine and they should be given medicine like Paracetamol for controlling fever as needed.
As the manufacturers have reported, the side effects among children between 6 months and 3 years may include drowsiness, loss of appetite, irritability and soreness at the injection site, after the 2nd dose.

However, it has been concluded by the European Agency that one dose of the vaccine can trigger good immunity in younger children but second dose can bring more protection against swine flu. Health authorities of the member states have also recommended that the doctors should continue their vaccine programme despite the fever. Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer of England, warned that the children under 5 years of age are the main sufferers of swine flu, the disease that is responsible for causing difficulty in breathing.

A spokesperson from the Department of Health said that it is a good news that such strong responses are received after only a half dose of Pandemrix given to kids. The current guidance of the department is to give 2 half doses to the children under 10 years of age, with a gap of at least 3 weeks. However, the department is asking advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, an independent advisory committee, on whether a single half dose of the vaccine is enough for protection against the disease among children. New guidance is expected to be developed as needed. A spokesperson said that Pandemrix vaccine is the best defense against the disease. Up to date over 10 million doses of the vaccine had been given out to adults and children across EU, and no unseen safety concerns have emerged so far.