Disseminate to general practices within one working day

7 October 2009

Urgent Advice for Vaccination of People with a Latex Allergy

Queensland Health has provided the following information for dissemination to general practices.

Advice

The Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop AO, issued the following warning and advice late yesterday.

Please click here to view the warning and advice from the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer.

Warning

A short term adverse reaction has occurred at the time of vaccination in a person with an allergy to latex. However, the true cause of this event has not been determined and is currently being investigated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Please note:

• The Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccine (Panvax®) and vial are latex free.
• The 1mL syringes in the vaccination packs contain latex.

Advice

• Please ask all people who are consenting for vaccination if they have an allergy to latex.
• Those who report an allergy to latex should NOT be vaccinated using a syringe from a Vaccination Pack.
• A syringe that you know to be latex free should be used for those who have a latex allergy.
  

For the Latest Information

Please visit General Practice Queensland’s new Pandemic (H1N1) 09 Vaccination Program webpage at www.gpqld.com.au/page/Pandemic_H1N1_2009_National_Vaccination_Program.

Follow up required

As required please email Elise Gorman, GPQ Acting Program Coordinator via egorman@gpqld.com.au once this information has been disseminated to general practices within your division.

Please ensure this update is sent to general practices within one working.