FDA Probes Seizures After Flu Shots

Fever-related seizures seem to be on the rise among young children after they receive a flu shot. U.S. health officials are trying to find out why. There have been 36 reports of such seizures this flu season. The Associated Press wrote about them January 20. All occurred within a day of when the children received the FluZone flu shot. The children were 6 months to 2 years old. All recovered, but 10 of them did have a stay in the hospital. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it is trying to find out if the shot caused the seizures. They could have been caused by something else. This type of seizure is also called a febrile seizure. The child shakes and loses consciousness. Usually, the seizure lasts a minute or two. Children often recover quickly. The FDA has not changed its advice on using the vaccine.