GAVI: HPV vaccine roll-out in Nigeria
In late October, Nigeria began its public roll-out of the HPV vaccine.
After initial scepticism over the vaccine, community leaders campaigned to ensure the vaccine reaches all girls in the eligible age bracket.
Gavi reports, in great detail, on how the campaigners tackled misinformation and educated community member. Read more here.
ABC: Why a national shortage of cat vaccines may cause holiday havoc with pet owners
Due to an increase in pet adoption during the pandemic and manufacturing facilities shifting towards COVID-19 vaccine production, Australia is currently affected by a global shortage of cat vaccines.
The shortage may mean cat owners have trouble booking their pets into catteries, if they’re not up to date with their vaccines.
Read the ABC article in full
ATAGI: Recommendations on the use of the Moderna and Pfizer monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines
On 20 November, ATAGI released new recommendations for the use of monovalent XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines for primary vaccination and boosters, in those aged 5 and older.
The monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccines target currently circulating Omicron subvariants. This differs to the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines which offer protection against both earlier Omicron subvariants and the original strain of COVID-19.
All currently available COVID-19 vaccines provide strong protection against severe disease. Monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccines show a modest increase in protection and are therefore considered the preferred option.
People who have not received their recommended 2023 dose(s) are encouraged to be vaccinated as soon as possible. Those who have already received their 2023 dose(s) do not need revaccination with a monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccine.
The monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccines available for use in Australia are:
- Pfizer (5 to < 12 years – light blue cap)
- Pfizer (≥ 12 years – dark grey cap)
- Moderna (≥ 12 years)
Eligible children under 5 years can continue to receive an age-appropriate original strain vaccines (Pfzier – maroon cap).
WHO on a return to trivalent influenza vaccines
Since there has been no detection of the naturally occurring B/Yamagata-lineage influenza virus since 2020, the opinion of the World Health Organization (WHO) influenza vaccine composition advisory committee is that the inclusion of B/Yamagata-lineage antigens in influenza vaccines is no longer warranted.
WHO recommends trivalent or quadrivalent influenza vaccines.
WHO Q&A on recommendations for 2024 south hemisphere composition of influenza vaccines
Get involved in MVEC’s next project
MVEC is currently producing a new podcast series that covers the basics of vaccination in Australia. Do you have questions you’d like answered on the podcast?
WSPID Call to action: Ensuring fair prices for all vaccines for all countries with limited resources
The World Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (WSPID) is calling on governments and international organisations around the world to address vaccine price as a matter of urgency.
WSPID’s call to action aims to address the systemic issue of unaffordable vaccine prices, through a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach.
Visit the WSPID website to learn more, read the call to action in full and to sign on.
NCIRS: Recording of Shingrix webinar now available
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) has recently uploaded recordings of presentations from its recent Shingrix webinar, held on 7 November 2023.
Leading experts presented on:
- the disease burden of shingles in Australia
- details about Shingrix
- the new Australian Shingrix vaccination program
- the US experience of implementing a national Shingrix program.
NCIRS Shingrix webinar recordings
Read more about Shingrix on the MVEC: Zoster page.
Victorian Department of Health: Zostavax vaccine stock to be discarded
To avoid a shingles vaccine administration error, the Victorian Department of Health advises immunisation providers to immediately discard any remaining government supplied stock of Zostavax.
The national Shingrix vaccine program for shingles (also known as herpes zoster) was launched on 1 November 2023, replacing the previous nationally funded Zostavax program.
The MVEC zoster reference page includes vaccination guidelines and a commonly asked questions section.
Community pharmacist pilot program: travel vaccines and travel advice
Pharmacist immunisers are registered pharmacists who have completed additional training in immunisation allowing them to administer approved vaccines to specified patient groups.
In October 2023, a 12-month pilot program was launched further expanding the authority of approved community pharmacists to provide advice and some travel vaccines (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and polio).
The purpose of this program is to increase access to affordable preventative healthcare as well as treatment for travel-related illness.
Victorian Department of Health: Victorian community pharmacist statewide pilot
Australian Immunisation Handbook: Update to recommendations for people who have recently received blood products
Last month, the Australian Immunisation Handbook updated the recommended time intervals for the vaccination of people who have recently received normal human immunoglobulin and other blood products.
The clinical guidance was updated to remove specific guidance regarding rotavirus, zoster and BCG, and to include guidance regarding live JE vaccines.
Immunisation providers should check the Handbook guidance before administering a live vaccine to someone who has received blood products or IVIG.
MVEC: Live-attenuated vaccines and immunoglobulin or blood products