As influenza can be a very severe disease in young children which spreads rapidly in those attending school or day care, the published results of this trial are important and timely, lead investigator Professor Terry Nolan of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and University of Melbourne said today.

Vaccinating children is a significant component of reducing influenza transmission in the community1. We are continuing to see outbreaks of H1N1 influenza in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, we cannot assume the threat of the disease has passed in Australia.

This influenza vaccine has shown an excellent level of protection against influenza in children following a single dose, however health authorities around the world have recommended two doses to provide optimum protection against this unpredictable infection, he said.

CSL ™s Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccine is manufactured without adjuvants, and using an identical manufacturing process to the CSL seasonal influenza vaccines. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States have fully assessed the vaccine and registered it for use in infants and children.