The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7174 p701-706
17 November 2001

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At-risk children should be given a second 'flu jab

The British National Formulary (BNF) has advised that children up to the age of 12 years, who are at high risk from influenza because of an existing medical condition and who have not been vaccinated previously, should be given a second dose of influenza vaccine at least four weeks after the first dose. The recommendation follows discussions with the vaccine manufacturers and the Department of Health. Currently the BNF recommends a second dose for at-risk children aged 6–35 months. The next issue, which will be published in March 2002, will say that at-risk children under 12 years may require a second dose. For children aged over 36 months the dose of influenza vaccine is 0.5mL. Information on those considered to be at risk and doses for influenza vaccines can be found on pp579–80 of BNF 42 (September 2001) or online at BNF.org.

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