13 November 2001
At-risk children up to the age of 12 years should be given a second ‘flu jab

The British National Formulary (BNF) announced today that children up to the age of 12 years, who are considered to be at high risk (because of a medical condition) and have not been vaccinated previously, should be given a second dose of influenza vaccine at least 4 weeks after the first dose.

Currently the BNF recommends a second dose for at-risk children aged 6–35 months who have not previously been infected or vaccinated against influenza. The next issue, which will be published in March 2002, will be updated to show that at-risk children under 12 years may require a second dose. For children aged over 36 months the dose of influenza vaccine is 0.5 mL.

The recommendation follows discussions with the vaccine manufacturers and the Department of Health.

Further information on those considered to be at risk and dose statements for influenza vaccines can be found on pp. 579–80 of BNF 42 (September 2001) or online at BNF.org 

The entire content of the BNF is a available online at BNF.org