Australia Launches World-First Nationwide Peanut Allergy Treatment Program for Children

Sydney: In a groundbreaking move, Australia is launching a nationwide initiative to combat severe peanut allergies among children, marking a global first.

Under this new program, eligible infants will receive daily doses of peanut powder over two years, gradually increasing their tolerance. This innovative treatment, which will be administered at 10 pediatric hospitals across the country, aims to reduce peanut sensitivity under medical supervision.

Kirsten Perrett, head of oral immunotherapy at the National Allergy Centre of Excellence, highlighted that this is the first time a national peanut allergy treatment program is being implemented outside of clinical trials. At the end of the two-year treatment period, a food allergy test will assess whether the therapy has led to remission.

Perrett emphasized the program’s goal: “We aim to change the course of allergic diseases in Australia, enabling more children to attend school without the fear of severe peanut reactions.”

Traditionally, families have been advised to strictly avoid peanuts to protect their children. Australian data reveals that about three percent of children are affected by peanut allergies by the age of 12 months, with only 20 percent outgrowing the allergy by their teenage years.

Nine-month-old Hunter Chatwin, who began experiencing hives after consuming peanut butter, is among the participants in this program. His mother, Kirsten, expressed her hope: “We are participating in the program to improve Hunter’s chances of safely consuming peanuts in the future. This free treatment offered at public hospitals is a significant breakthrough for many families trying to prevent allergic reactions.”

If successful, the program is expected to expand to regional and remote areas. Although deaths from peanut allergies are rare in Australia, nearly 20 percent of the population suffers from allergic conditions, with projections indicating a 70 percent increase by 2050, affecting around 7.7 million Australians.