Flu vaccine benefits outweigh risks: AMA

The benefits of the nation's new flu vaccine will far outweigh the risk of side-effects, Australia's peak medical body says.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) on Thursday welcomed the federal government's decision to award pharmaceutical giant CSL a $117 million contract to supply seasonal and pandemic flu vaccines until 2016.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) late last year approved the use of CSL's Fluvax in people over the age of 10.

This was despite a review which concluded the risk of side-effects from the vaccine was "likely to be modestly higher" in adults than two other products.

The vaccine has, however, been banned for use in children under five after it triggered febrile convulsions in some children in 2010.

AMA president Dr Steve Hambleton said the side-effects identified by the TGA were only minor and not sufficient to stop Fluvax from being used in Australia.

"There's no doubt that, (for people) above the age of 10, the benefits outweigh the risks in the vaccination program," Dr Hambleton told AAP.

"If we look at the totality of the evidence... we've agreed with the conclusions of the TGA that it should be available."

A CSL spokeswoman denied recent claims Fluvax triggered the most side-effects in adults.

She echoed the AMA's comment that the side-effects were only minor and that the TGA's review needed to be looked at in its entirety.

"Overall, the absolute rates of events, there was really no difference," Sharon McHale told AAP.

"The data suggests that the risk for adverse events is likely to be modestly higher, but these events are local site reactions.

"The vaccine continues to be within an acceptable safety profile for adolescents and adults and therefore remains suitable for use."

The federal Health Department also awarded contracts to British-based GlaxoSmithKline and French company Sanofi who will provide vaccines Fluarix and Vaxigrip for children under 10.