Complex: The Australian examines children's adverse reactions to CSL's swine-flu vaccine
…What followed has shaken public confidence in one of the world’s most popular immunisation programs. In April last year… Professor Jim Bishop, made the unprecedented decision to ban nationally all the seasonal flu vaccines for the under-5s. Fluvax, the predominant vaccine, was triggering febrile fits in one in every 100 children – 10 times the expected rate. The side-effects, in some cases, were severe, and no-one could explain what had caused them. As the mystery continues, even eminent scientists and medical specialists are now quibbling over the efficacy of flu vaccines, how they are tested and how well they are monitored. With another flu season upon us and the medical community divided, what are we, the public, to make of it all?…
