The Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) is a nationwide organisation based at the School of Population Health at The University of Auckland. Our aim is to provide New Zealanders with a local source of independent, factual information including benefits and risks regarding immunisation, and vaccine-preventable disease. The information we provide is based on international and New Zealand medical research and is supported by a large network of health professionals. We provide a variety of products and services for consumers, health professionals, government agencies and the media to improve the understanding and quality of immunisation in New Zealand. For questions relating to immunisation and vaccination-preventable diseases you can call us free on 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466863), weekdays 9am-4.30 pm. Or click here to ask a question by email. If you have any further questions about a specific vaccine please contact us or talk directly to your healthcare professional for an explanation. In some cases more information on the vaccine is available under Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) on the Medsafe website at www.medsafe.govt.nz. Note: Childhood vaccines are prescription medicines and are provided free of charge by your healthcare professional.
Concerns about febrile convulsions and the flu vaccineFebrile convulsions (fits) can occur in children when they have a spiking fever. They can be very frightening to see, but in healthy children they don’t last long or cause any long term concerns. It is estimated that 2-4% of all children will have a least one febrile convulsion in their life time. We know that all flu vaccines can cause a fever, particularly in younger children under three years. Because of this, febrile convulsions are a known but rare event after flu vaccination. It is important to remember that the flu itself also causes a high fever, and you are more likely to get a high fever from getting the flu than getting the flu vaccine. - For a fact sheet on the flu, flu vaccines and febrile convulsions click here (black and white version click here).
- Visit www.influenza.org.nz for information about the flu and flu vaccines.
- Visit www.kidshealth.org.nz for more information and details on febrile convulsions.
To find out more about your rights when using a health or disability service in New Zealand please visit the Health and Disability Commissioner website here. This website was last updated in April 2010. All our factsheets for Parents and Caregivers have TAPS approval. TAPS NA 9268 |
