Qld: Minister took early reports of death very seriously

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2010
Qld: Minister took early reports of death very seriously

BRISBANE, April 27 AAP - Queensland's health minister took early reports of a child's
death, possibly from a flu vaccine, very seriously and ordered an immediate investigation,
his office says.

A spokeswoman for Paul Lucas said the minister heard scant details about the case on
April 9 and immediately ordered Queensland Health to look into the circumstances of the
death.

Two-year-old Ashley Epapara was found dead in her cot on April 9, a day after she and
her twin sister received the seasonal flu vaccine.

The Queensland Coroner is investigating the cause of her death.

The minister's spokeswoman said Mr Lucas contacted Queensland's chief health officer
Jeannette Young on April 9, after sketchy details of the case surfaced.

She said Dr Young made contact with the Therapeutic Goods Administration, which had
no notification of any vaccine-related death.

At that stage not even the child's name was known, the spokeswoman said.

"He took it very seriously. As soon as the minister was made aware of the issue he
reported directly back to Queensland Health and asked them to start an urgent investigation,"

she said on Tuesday, adding the case was now a matter for the coroner.

"We need to wait for the results of the coroner's investigation. He will confirm yes
or no whether it was the vaccine."

On Monday, Dr Young said Queensland Health was working closely with the coroner to
determine the circumstances of the girl's death.

"Neither Queensland Health nor the relevant national body had been formally advised
of any death in Queensland allegedly related to a 2010 seasonal flu vaccine," she said.

"After receiving information via the media and the health minister's office earlier
this month, Queensland Health started an urgent investigation.

"As part of that the Therapeutic Goods Administration was asked to check all notifications.

"There was no information provided by the TGA or received by Queensland Health confirming
a child had died from either a swine flu or seasonal flu vaccination."

Australia's chief medical officer Professor Jim Bishop last week suspended seasonal
flu shots for children under five.

He acted after scores of babies and young children, mostly in Western Australia and
Queensland, were admitted to hospital, many with high fevers and convulsions.

AAP tnf/tr

KEYWORD: FLU QLD

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