New immunisation reference page: Eczema and immunisations

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a common skin condition affecting people of any ages. Whilst it is recognised that vaccines can cause a flare of eczema symptoms, there is no causal relationship identified between eczema and immunisations in the literature. 

For further information on eczema and immunisation please refer to our MVEC page here


Questions and answers about COVID-19 vaccines

The Vaccine Education Center (VEC) at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHoP) has recently launched a new resource page answering common questions related to the development and safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Readers are also encouraged to submit their own questions directly to the VEC team for response.

To access this initiative please follow the link here


VicVax (Victorian Immunisation Schedule) app- currently undergoing review

The National Immunisation Program (NIP) underwent changes from 1 July 2020. As a result, VicVax, MVEC's Victorian immunisation schedule application, is currently undergoing review and has been removed from the App Store and Google Play. If you have downloaded the VicVax app, kindly delete it from your devices as it is no longer up to date with the current immunisation schedule. 

In the interim, please refer to the Victorian Immunisation Schedule - July 2020


Coronavirus vaccine progress report: the projects bidding to win the race for a COVID-19 vaccine

With over 140 vaccine candidates in various stages of development globally, the ABC has taken a look at the role that Australian researchers are playing in the effort to produce a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19. 

ABC: Coronavirus vaccine progress:the projects bidding to win the race for a COVID-19 vaccine 

To further explore the COVID-19 vaccine development process and hear from a variety of national and international experts, please subscribe to our podcast series:
COVID-19 Road to a vaccine 


New immunisation reference page: Vaccine development and safety

In an effort to promote confidence in the safety and efficacy of immunisation, MVEC has looked at the steps undertaken by vaccine candidates prior to being registered for use in vaccination programs. Post-licensure surveillance programs are also important for the early detection of any unexpected safety signals that may arise.

To learn more please visit our MVEC page Vaccine development and safety


New immunisation reference page: Live-attenuated vaccines in patients receiving regular red blood cell transfusions

Patients receiving regular red blood cell transfusions to treat chronic medical conditions such as transfusion dependent thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, inherited chronic haemolytic anaemias, or inherited bone marrow failure syndromes are often left unprotected from vaccine preventable diseases due to not meeting the required intervals between red blood cell transfusions. Evidence in this space is limited, however specialist advice suggests that immunisation of this patient group with live-attenuated vaccines is safe and recommended. As such, MVEC has created a new reference page outlining the process of immunisation for these patients. Please refer to MVEC: Live-attenuated vaccines in patients receiving regular red blood cell transfusions for more information.

 

 


The International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA) statement about confidence in vaccine safety and effectiveness

In a global effort to promote confidence in the safety of vaccines, the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA) have released new documentation explaining the scientific evaluation process undertaken by vaccine candidates prior to licensing, as well as discussing the ongoing safety surveillance that continues after they have been approved for use. These documents are targeted for both health care professionals as well as consumers.

Read more here:

ICMRA statement about confidence in vaccine safety and effectiveness (for healthcare professionals)

ICMRA statement about confidence in vaccines (for the general public)

 


Zostavax safety advisory

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have reiterated their advice that Zostavax should not be administered to immunocompromised individuals as it is associated with a risk of mild-serious complications. This advice follows a report of a new case of a patient who was taking hydroxychloroquine and a low dose of prednisolone who died three weeks after receiving the Zostavax vaccine. Whilst it was found that the Zostavax was administered in line with existing recommendations it is important that health professionals are aware of the potential of this kind of very rare adverse event. 

Read more here:

TGA: Zostavax vaccine 

And for more information on Zoster and to access the Zostavax GP Decision Aid refer to the MVEC: Zoster immunisation reference page. 


COVID19 Road to a vaccine episode 7: Professor Norman Baylor

In episode 7 of our COVID19 Road to a vaccine series, our host, Associate Professor Nigel Crawford speaks with Professor Norman Baylor. Professor Baylor is the former Director of the Office of Vaccines Research and Review Center at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is the President and CEO of Biologics Consulting and current advisor to the WHO.

In this episode they discuss:

  • The important role of regulatory authorities in the development and release of new vaccines
  • Emergency Use Authorisations (EUA) and their use
  • Compressed timelines in the development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines
  • Requirements of regulatory bodies in the development of vaccines
  • Opportunities for collaboration/”work-sharing” between the national regulatory bodies (FDA, EMA and TGA)
  • The role of regulatory bodies in vaccine safety

Links:

Download the episode at:

Spreaker - Apple - Spotify 


National immunisation catch-up calculator v1.0 now available

The Australian Government Department of Health have released the first version of the National Immunisation Catch-up Calculator (NICC). It is available on the Australian Immunisation Handbook website and replaces the immunisation calculator hosted by the South Australian Department of Health. 

You can access the NICC here:

National Immunisation Catch-up Calculator