New-look newsletter!
You might have noticed the MVEC newsletter has a new format.
We would love to hear your feedback, and please let us know if you have any technical issues. Get in touch with us via the blue ‘Immunisation Support’ button in the top right corner of the screen on our website or follow this link.
NCIRS: Webinar – Vaccination for people with disability
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) is hosting a webinar on vaccination for people with disability, to be held on Friday 22 September 2023 at noon.
Leading researchers and clinicians will present on:
- vaccine coverage and vaccination service gaps for people with disability
- ways to support vaccination of patients with complex needs, including patients with intellectual and development disabilities and those with needle fear
- new NCIRS resources to support healthcare providers in vaccination.
Updated immunisation reference page: Yellow fever
We have recently updated our Yellow fever reference page.
Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease which can be transmitted to humans via the bites of mosquitos infected with yellow fever virus (YFV). Vaccination against yellow fever is a requirement to travel to and from certain countries.
The updated reference page includes information on yellow fever epidemiology, transmission and prevention.
Immunisation Coalition: Recording of Allan Cripps memorial webinar
The Immunisation Coalition has uploaded a recording of the recent Allan Cripps memorial webinar on invasive pneumococcal disease, held on 10 August 2023.
The event aimed to highlight Professor Cripps’s key achievements and to shed light on advancements in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pneumococcal disease.
The panel featured MVEC Director Nigel Crawford along with Dr Sarah Chu, Professor Robert Clancy, Professor Katie Flanagan and Dr Sanjay Jayasinghe.
Queensland meningococcal B vaccination program announced
The Queensland Government has announced that, beginning in early 2024, meningococcal B vaccines will be free for all infants and children under two years old, and adolescents aged 15 to 19 years.
Meningococcal is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. People with invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) can become extremely unwell very quickly. Of the 13 known subtypes of meningococcal, 5 are currently vaccine-preventable (B and A, C, W, Y).
Meningococcal ACWY vaccination is routinely administered under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Under the NIP, meningococcal B vaccines are available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged under 2 years and individuals with certain immunocompromising conditions.
MVEC recommends meningococcal ACWY and meningococcal B vaccination for anyone wishing to be protected. You can read more about IMD and vaccination on our reference page.
Queensland Government: Statement on meningococcal B vaccine
Queensland Health: Queensland menB vaccination program
Locally acquired cases of mpox (monkeypox) in Victoria
On 3 August 2023, the Victorian Department of Health issued a Chief Health Officer alert regarding local transmission of mpox (monkeypox) in Victoria.
Two locally acquired cases have been reported in Victoria.
Mpox is a viral infection. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, backache and muscle aches, fatigue and lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes). A rash may develop 1–3 days following the beginning of the early symptoms.
The recent cases in Victoria are the first to be reported in the state since November 2022. Since May 2022, there has been an international outbreak of mpox.
People with symptoms of mpox are advised to seek medical care and testing.
Head to the MVEC mpox reference page to find out more about mpox disease and vaccine recommendations.
Health alert: Local transmission of mpox in Victoria
Victorian Department of Health: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner immunisers
From 21 August 2023, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner immunisers will be able to administer certain vaccines under a written instruction and supervision of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner or authorised midwife.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner immunisers will be able to administer Japanese encephalitis, Mpox (monkeypox) and COVID-19 vaccinations upon completion of recognised immuniser study programs.
More details, including information on recognised immuniser study programs, can be found on the Victorian Department of Health website.
NCIRS: Influenza vaccination coverage data
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) continues to publish weekly updates on influenza vaccine coverage in Australia.
Data published on 5 August 2023 shows that influenza vaccine coverage remains lower than this time last year.
- 26.9% of 6-month to 5-year-olds have been vaccinated (30.8% this time in 2022)
- 15.7% of 5 to 14-year-olds have been vaccinated (22.8% this time in 2022)
- 21.8% of 15 to 49-year-olds have been vaccinated (28.3% this time in 2022)
- 36.3% of 50 to 64-year-olds have been vaccinated (46.0% this time in 2022)
- 62.8% of people older 65 years and older have been vaccinated (69.4% this time in 2022)
Influenza vaccines are funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for the following groups:
- Children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
- People aged 65 years and older
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and older
- Pregnant women
- People aged over 6 months with certain medical risk factors
More information can be found on our influenza reference page.
NCIRS: Influenza coverage data