Save the date for MVEC’s Immunisation Skills Workshop – Friday 2 September 2022

MVEC are pleased to invite you to save the date for our Immunisation Skills Workshop taking place on Friday 2nd September. 

The full day interactive, face-to-face workshop is MVEC’s newest learning opportunity designed to provide education and upskilling in the principles and processes of managing: 

  • effective vaccine communication 
  • error prevention and management 
  • anaphylaxis and acute stress responses 

Participants will hear from immunisation experts and have the opportunity to engage in simulated scenarios. 

The workshop will account for 12 nursing CPD hours and up to 24 points of CPD for pharmacist immunisers (including preparation and reading time). 

Further program details and a link to register will be available via our events page soon. 


NCIRS resource now available – Influenza vaccination coverage data

NCIRS have published a report outlining influenza vaccination coverage according to state/territory as well as age group, in Australia in 2022. Rates are compared to vaccination coverage reported in 2020 and 2021. This report will be updated weekly and uses data obtained from the Australian Immunisation Register.  

Influenza vaccines are recommended for all people aged ≥ 6 months. They are provided for free on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for at-risk groups including children under 5, people with specific medical risk factors, pregnant women, people aged 65 and over and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged ≥ 6 months. Some individual jurisdictions are also providing free flu vaccination for all aged ≥ 6 months. Any other individuals who are unable to source a funded vaccine can obtain a flu vaccine for a small fee.  

As of the 11th June 2022, 31.6% of Australians aged 6 months and above had received an influenza vaccination, and just 20.2% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples had received one.  

To view the NCIRS data, please click on the link below.
NCIRS Influenza vaccination coverage data 

For more information on influenza vaccines, please click on the link below. 
MVEC: Influenza recommendations


New resource for seniors added to the MVEC immunisation hub for the general public

Due to the immune system becoming less effective as we age and the increasing risk of severe disease, immunisation is an important aspect of health promotion for seniors.  

Our dedicated immunisation resource includes information for seniors on vaccine preventable diseases, vaccine recommendations, answers to frequently asked questions and links to further resources. 

MVEC’s hub of up-to-date and reliable information aims to increase the public’s awareness and understanding of vaccine preventable diseases and promote the benefits of immunisation for people of all ages. 

If you are interested in collaborating with MVEC to develop immunisation resources, we’d love to hear from you! 

To access this new resource for seniors, please click on the link below:  

Resource for seniors: MVEC’s new Immunisation hub for the general public

 


ATAGI recommendations on first booster dose in adolescents aged 12-15 years

ATAGI has provided updated advice regarding COVID-19 booster doses for those aged 12-15 years. 

A single booster dose of Comirnaty (Pfizer) is now recommended for the following select groups:  

  • those who are severely immunocompromised 
  • those who have a disability with significant or complex health needs 
  • those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19. 

Booster doses can be administered ≥ 3 months after the completion of the primary course, or ≥ 3 months after COVID-19 infection (whichever is later).  

There is currently insufficient evidence to support expanding this booster dose recommendation to other groups of adolescents aged 12-15 years, however this advice may change in the future as more evidence emerges.  

To read the advice in full please follow the link below.    

ATAGI recommendations on first booster dose in adolescents aged 12-15 years 


Updated MVEC immunisation reference page: Kawasaki disease and immunisation

MVEC’s reference page on Kawasaki disease and immunisation has recently been updated. This resource outlines:  

  • what Kawasaki disease is 
  • vaccine recommendations for providers 
  • specific precautions to take when vaccinating 

To view the page in full, follow the link below: 

MVEC: Kawasaki disease and immunisation 


ABC Radio Canberra with A/Prof Nigel Crawford: Influenza and the importance of the flu vaccine for children under five.

MVEC’s Associate Professor Nigel Crawford was interviewed by ABC Radio Canberra to discuss influenza in children under five. With younger children at greater risk of contracting severe disease, A/Prof Crawford explains the importance of vaccinating children every flu season to ensure the best protection. 

You can listen to the interview here:
ABC Radio Canberra: Influenza and the importance of the flu vaccine for children under five.


Updated MVEC immunisation reference page: Meningococcal

MVEC’s meningococcal immunisation reference page has been updated. This resource details: 

  • meningococcal disease information, including symptoms and epidemiology 
  • recommendations for meningococcal ACWY vaccination 
  • recommendations for meningococcal B vaccination 

To view the page in full, follow the link below:

MVEC: Meningococcal