Sydney Morning Herald: Fourth COVID vaccine shot found to be highly effective

A preliminary study published by Israel’s Sheba medical centre found that a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine administered to people 60 years and over, made them three times more resistant to serious illness and twice as resistant to infection than thrice-vaccinated people in the same age group.  

Moving forward, Pfizer’s chief executive Albert Bourla said annual COVID-19 vaccine boosters would be preferable to more frequent boosters

At this stage, Pfizer is nearly ready to file for approval for a redesigned vaccine that targets Omicron while still protecting against other variants.  

To read the full article, follow the link below: 

Fourth COVID vaccine shot found to be highly effective 


ABC: Children with COVID-19 are at risk of a rare complication. Will Omicron make MIS-C more common?

Paediatricians flag a surge in paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome following COVID-19 infection, with more than 6,000 cases reported in the US and 35 in Australia. PIMS-TS is most common in children around the age of 9, weeks after they’ve experienced a mild or asymptomatic case of COVID-19. Currently, doctors have not been able to identify an exact causal effect, but some scientists believe a child’s body can have a delayed reaction to the virus. 

“We are getting much better now at recognising the syndrome and treating it” explains Associate Professor Nigel Crawford.  

While this complication is very rare, scientists are currently uncertain whether the highly infectious Omicron variant will perpetuate a spike in PIMS-TS occurrences. 

Follow the link below to read the full article: 

Children with COVID-19 are at risk of a rare complication. Will Omicron make MIS-C more common?


Updated MVEC reference page: Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine

We have updated our Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine page to reflect the latest ATAGI recommendations. The Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine has been provisionally approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in a primary course of vaccination in people aged 18 years and older.

Our reference page also includes links to the latest resources and information regarding the safety and efficacy of the Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine.

To find out more information, please refer to our dedicated MVEC Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine page in the link below.
Updated MVEC reference page: Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine


ATAGI Statement on the use of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid)

Following two phase lll clinical trials conducted in the USA/Mexico and in the UK, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted provisional approval of the Novavvax COVID-19 vaccine in Australia. 

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, also known as Nuvaxovid (Biocelect Pty Ltd/Novavax Inc) is a spike protein-based vaccine with each 0.5mL dose containing 5 micrograms of the of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and 50 micrograms of Matrix-M as an adjuvant.

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated to be highly effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 disease in adults in a primary schedule. ATAGI continues to monitor the safety, efficacy and immunogenicity data of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine including in high-risk priority groups and will provide updated recommendations as required.  

To read the full ATAGI statement, follow the link below:
ATAGI Statement on the use of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid) 


ATAGI update following weekly COVID-19 meeting – 12 January 2022

Following recent data, ATAGI recommends that severely immunocompromised children between the ages of 5 to 11 years receive a 3rd primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to optimise their protection against COVID-19 infection.

Current data has not identified any concerning safety signals in this cohort. ATAGI continues to review and closely monitor reports regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in this age group.

This statement provides a concise summary of the January ATAGI meeting, including the latest recommendations and considerations regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5 to 11 years.

To read the full statement, follow the link below:
ATAGI update following weekly COVID-19 meeting - 12 January 2022


ABC: Should I mix or match my booster? Your COVID-19 vaccine questions answered

ATAGI recommends that everyone aged 18 years and over to receive a booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of which vaccine they received for their primary course.

With over 5 million people now triple jabbed, Australia’s COVID-19 booster rollout is well underway.

This article explores some of the clinical data and considerations regarding the COVID-19 boosters.

To read the full article, follow the link below.
Should I mix or match my booster? Your COVID-19 vaccine questions answered


CDC Study Shows Flu Vaccination Prevents Severe Flu Illness in U.S. Children

According to CDC flu surveillance systems, flu season has started in many parts of the USA with continued flu activity expected over the coming weeks, with most flu detected to date as H3N2 flu found in children and young adults.

A new CDC study has shown that flu vaccination can protect children against serious flu illness even when they had been infected with a flu virus that was antigenically different from the vaccine virus.

The CDC study reports that “flu vaccination reduced the risk of severe flu in children by 78% against similar flu A viruses and 47% against flu A viruses that had drifted from the vaccine virus. Further, the vaccine was 76% effective at preventing life-threatening influenza, which included invasive mechanical ventilation, CPR, and other severe complications including death”. In addition to this, the study highlighted that some people who are vaccinated still get sick, but the vaccination can decrease illness severity.

To read the article in full, please click on the link below:
CDC Study Shows Flu Vaccination Prevents Severe Flu Illness in U.S. Children


New episode of The Good GP podcast available: COVID-19 vaccination in children

A new episode of The Good GP podcast is now available. In this COVID-19 vaccination episode, The Good GP interviews Dr Angie Berkhout, paediatric infectious diseases physician at the Royal Children's Hospital, on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in children aged 5-11.

The interview covers the Pfizer vaccination available for children, schedules, efficacy, contraindications and precautions. They also bust some common myths regarding the COVID-19 vaccine in children.

To listen to the podcast, please click on the link below:
The Good GP podcast episode available: COVID-19 vaccination in children


WHO: 2021 has been tumultuous but we know how to end the pandemic and promote health for all in 2022

In 2021, the global health system faced significant challenges perpetuated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Proving that when health is at risk, everything is at risk. However, there have still been medical breakthroughs and progress including new COVID-19 treatments, the introduction of the world’s first malaria vaccine and the near eradication of polio disease. 

The year 2022 brings a hopeful glimpse to end the COVID-19 pandemic, through countries working together, pushing for greater vaccine equity to reach a 70% global vaccination rate.  

In this article, the WHO reflects on the challenges and triumphs of the global health system throughout 2021 and outlines some positive opportunities for the coming new year. 

To read the full article, follow the link below.  

2021 has been tumultuous but we know how to end the pandemic and promote health for all in 2022


CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Children Aged 5-11 Years November 3 – December 19 2021

Following the administration of approximately 8 million Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses in children between the ages of 5 to 11 years, local and systemic reactions were closely monitored and assessed. The incoming data was reported to VAERS and v-safe, the national passive vaccine safety surveillance system, jointly managed by the CDC and FDA. During the span of 3 November to 19 December, 4,249 reports were submitted, of which 97% were for nonserious adverse events.

For the most recent clinical data regarding the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 years, read the full VAERS report.

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Children Aged 5-11 Years November 3 – December 19 2021