Save the date for our 2022 Clinical Vaccinology Update!
MVEC are pleased to announce that our next Clinical Vaccinology Update (CVU) will take place on Friday 28 October. The event will be held in-person at the University of Melbourne.
The CVU will provide an opportunity for immunisation providers, industry partners and vaccine experts to come together for interactive professional development and networking.
Program details and ticketing information will be announced shortly via our MVEC Events Page
The Conversation: COVID vaccines for children under 5 are almost here. Here’s what parents need to know
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved a paediatric dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children aged from six months.
MVEC’s Dr Daryl Cheng, along with A/Prof Margie Danchin, explore what parents need to know ahead of Australia’s rollout of the Moderna vaccine in this cohort, including the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and the benefits and implications of vaccinating this age group in this article.
To read the article in full, please click on the link below:
The Conversation: COVID vaccines for children under 5 are almost here. Here’s what parents need to know
Updated MVEC immunisation reference page: Travel medicine
Travel medicine focuses on disease prevention and injury risk minimisation for anyone travelling internationally. Recommendations can be based upon the travelling person’s individual circumstances such as the location and purpose of travel, duration and time of year of travel, as well as any underlying medical conditions or other risk factors.
MVEC’s reference page on Travel medicine has recently been updated. This resource outlines:
- where to get travel advice and when to seek advice
- vaccines for travellers
- immunocompromised and pregnant travellers
- advice for visiting friends and relatives (VFR).
To view the page in full, follow the link below:
MVEC: Travel medicine
MVEC's Immunisation skills workshop - New date announced
Due to increasing COVID-19 case numbers in Victoria and the implementation of visitor restrictions at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), our Immunisation Skills Workshop due to be held at RCH on September 2, has been rescheduled for Friday 25th November. We look forward to announcing the program details and opening the registration for this event in the coming weeks.
VicSIS update- services have changed
From July 2022 there has been a change to the services delivered by VicSIS (the Victorian Specialist Immunisation Services network). The number of VicSIS clinics and their locations have been reduced with adult services now only offered at Barwon Health, Austin Health, Monash Health and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Due to these changes there may be longer wait times for appointments and patients should be advised of this.
In addition, VicSIS is no longer funded to support paediatric COVID-19 vaccination. Children aged 15 years and under requiring specialist advice can instead be reviewed via the existing specialist immunisation clinics at The Royal Children’s Hospital and Monash Health. Referrals for these services should continue to be submitted via the VicSIS eReferral portal.
For further information on VicSIS, refer to the link below:
ATAGI updated recommendations for a winter dose of COVID-19 vaccine
ATAGI have expanded the groups recommended to receive a COVID-19 winter booster dose to now include:
- Any adult (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) aged 50 years and older
- Aged care or disability care residents aged 16 years and older
- Individuals aged 16 years and older with severe immunocompromise, disability or complex health need, or those with multiple comorbidities which may increase the likelihood of poorer outcomes.
In addition, any adult aged 30- 49 years who wishes to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 infection may also receive a winter booster dose. The interval recommended between a previous COVID-19 infection or previous booster dose and administration of a winter booster dose is 3 months.
ATAGI has noted with concern that booster dose coverage (first dose and winter dose) has been suboptimal for eligible populations and highlights the importance of vaccination in preventing severe infection and hospitalisation.
To read the updated recommendations in full, please click on the link below:
ATAGI updated recommendations for a winter dose of COVID-19 vaccine
New immunisation reference page: Typhoid
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever are bacterial infections collectively known as enteric fever, caused by the bacteria Salmonella enterica subspecies serovars Typhi and Paratyphi A, B and C. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and if untreated, can lead to serious complications or even death. They can include prolonged fever, abdominal symptoms or bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream).
Our new reference page outlines the signs and symptoms of typhoid, transmission routes and epidemiology, as well as the vaccines available for disease prevention when travelling to typhoid endemic areas.
To read more follow the link below:
MVEC: Typhoid
New immunisation reference page: Mandatory vaccine directions in Victoria
A vaccine mandate means that proof of vaccination, or an authorised medical exemption, is required in certain settings. In our new reference page, we provide information on the vaccine mandates affecting Victorians, including COVID-19 and influenza directions and “No jab, no play” and “No jab, no pay” legislations. Also included is information on the responsibility of the employee/service provider/individual and medical exemptions.
For further information, click on the link below:
MVEC: Mandatory vaccine direction in Victoria