Additional module added to Victorian COVID-19 eLearning Competency
An additional module titled Preparing Comirnaty™ (Pfizer BNT162b2) COVID-19 Vaccine has been added to the Victorian COVID-19 eLearning Competency.
Please note the advice contained in this module is specific to the COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine BNT162b2 (Comirnaty™).
If you have already completed the Victorian COVID-19 eLearning Competency you can login and access this additional module via your profile in the MVEC Education Portal.
Swollen Lymph Nodes Under Armpit After COVID-19 Vaccine May Mimic Breast Cancer Symptoms
The Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) in the United States is recommending women wait at least four weeks after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine to schedule a mammogram due to the potential side-effect of swollen or tender lymph nodes in the armpit. Changes in the lymph nodes can be a sign of breast cancer and the concerns are this could lead to false readings on mammograms leading to further unnecessary testing.
This advice was issued based on the rates of swelling and tenderness in the lymph nodes post the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the United States. Whilst rare in people who have received the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine (which is currently provisionally registered for use in Australia), the SBI notes the incidence rates are most likely higher than reported and accordingly issued the aforementioned advice to separate mammograms from COVID-19 vaccines by four to six weeks.
Read more via the link below:
ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2021
ATAGI have published recommendations for the influenza vaccine program in 2021. This advice includes vaccine brand and dose information, the timing of administration, funding eligibility criteria as well as the requirement for reporting all vaccine administration to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
To view the recommendations please follow the link below:
ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2021
Incidents after vaccination with AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine
Following reports of 2 temporally associated severe adverse events following immunisation (AEFI), the Austrian Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (the national regulatory body for medicines) have halted the supply and distribution of a specific batch of COVID-19 AstraZeneca.
It is important to note that data from clinical trials shows no evidence of a casual relationship and this halt is being utilised as a precautionary measure only. An immediate review of international reports of similar AEFI show no signals for concern. Vaccine rollout using alternate batches of COVID-19 AstraZeneca continues and further investigations are ongoing.
To read the official announcement follow the link below:
Learning from Errors with the New COVID-19 Vaccines
In December 2020 COVID-19 vaccination commenced across the US. This article published by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, discusses various reports of administration and preparation errors that have occurred since the rollout began.
Given the scope of the global COVID-19 vaccination campaign, it is expected that there will be mistakes made. As Australia begins its national rollout, a key learning is ensuring that all COVID-19 vaccine errors and adverse reactions are reported to the relevant authorities to help prevent these types of errors occurring here.
To read more follow the link below:
ISMP: Learning from Errors with the New COVID-19 Vaccines
CVU mini event 9th March 2021 - Registrations closing soon
Our next Clinical Vaccinology Update (CVU) mini event: COVID-19 vaccines: engagement, communication and safety, will be held virtually on Tuesday 9th March, 2021 at 7pm AEST.
To view the full program and to register for this FREE event, please visit our Event page.
A recording of COVID-19 vaccines: engagement, communication and safety will be available on our Education Portal following the event.
TGA collecting COVID-19 vaccine side effect reports
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have published a summary of suspected adverse events reported following COVID-19 immunisation since the commencement of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. All reports to date reflect the expected side effects identified in clinical trials for Comirnaty™. Reports include cases of feeling faint, headache, dizziness or nausea. The two cases of administration error in a Brisbane aged care facility have not been associated with any adverse outcomes.
Commencing Wednesday March 3, 2021 the TGA will publish weekly updates on the number of COVID-19 vaccine adverse event reported.
For more information refer to the following link:
TGA collecting COVID-19 vaccine side effect reports
ATAGI COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for frail older people, including those in residential aged care facilities
ATAGI have published a COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for frail older people, including those in residential aged care facilities in order to assist this population group or their caregivers to make an informed decision about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Currently in Australia there are 2 vaccines approved for use to prevent severe COVID-19 disease. They are available for free, with older populations in the earlier priority groups identified for eligibility. Both vaccines have been recommended by the TGA for use in older people, with no upper age limit for either vaccine.
Read more via the links below:
New immunisation reference page: Immunisation recommendations for the older population
There are a variety of factors that need to be considered in relation to the vaccination of the older population. A gradual decline of the immune system occurs as people age (known as immunosenescence), impacting how the immune system responds to new infections, as well as the effectiveness of long-term immune memory. An increasing prevalence of comorbidities, as well as the use of various therapies and medications can also cause older adults to be more vulnerable to infections and their complications.
Our new reference page details the vaccine recommendations for the older population, including COVID-19, influenza, pneumococcal and zoster vaccines, as well as highlights the importance of utilising the Australian Immunisation Register when immunising this patient group.
Find out more about the vaccines recommended by reading our new immunisation reference page, linked below.
MVEC: Immunisation recommendations for the older population
ATAGI COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy
COVID-19 vaccines are not routinely recommended in pregnancy, however they are not contraindicated.
COVID-19 vaccines can be considered if a pregnant woman has medical risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease or is at a high risk of exposure and contact with people with the virus. Pregnant women have been shown to have an increased risk of needing admission to intensive care and requiring mechanical ventilation if they contract COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant women of the same age. Pregnant women can discuss this with their health provider to ascertain if the potential benefit of receiving a COVID vaccine outweighs any risks.
ATAGI have released a COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy and considering having a COVID-19 vaccine.
Learn more via links below:
MVEC: Maternal vaccination during pregnancy (recently updated)