Dawesvville MLA and Health Minister Kim Hames said the review would recommend ways the WA Department of Health could improve reporting systems to pick up public health risks earlier.

The review comes after Western Australia was the first State to suspend its influenza vaccination program for children under five, following reports of severe side-effects.

Cases of 57 young children who had febrile convulsions following the influenza vaccination are currently being investigated by the WA Department of Health and Therapeutic Goods Administration. The WA program was suspended on April 22, and the national program was suspended the following day.

Dr Hames said the review would be conducted by former WA Chief Medical Officer, Professor Bryant Stokes and an interim report would be completed in about one month.

"I have been assured by West Australian experts that our response was highly professional and we were the first State to identify young children were potentially being put at risk by the seasonal influenza vaccine," Dr Hames said,

"However, it is important the public can continue to have confidence in our State health system, which is why I have initiated this review. I will ensure it is tabled in State Parliament and the results made public."

Dr Hames said Professor Stokes would review the department’s systems setup for both the public and health professionals to report suspected vaccine side effects, as well food poisoning and other notifiable diseases of public health concern.

It will also consider in detail the systems in place for reporting vaccine side-effects to both local and national health agencies, and the timeliness and adequacy of the response to the seasonal flu vaccine.

"Professor Stokes is a distinguished neurosurgeon and is currently chair of the State Government’s Elective Wait List Advocate Committee. I look forward to seeing the results of this review and investigating ways we can further improve our State health system," Dr Hames said.