Updated immunisation reference page: Injection site reactions
Injection site reactions (ISRs) are a common localised side effect that can occur following the administration of any injected vaccine.
We have recently updated our injection site reaction reference page to provide more information on the diagnosis of ISRs, to detail factors associated with a higher incidence of ISRs and to clarify the proper treatment of ISRs.
ISRs resolve on their own without intervention. They can be managed at home with symptomatic relief. ISRs are not a sign of allergy or local infection. Therefore antihistamines, steroids or antibiotics are not required.
MVEC: Injection site reactions
New immunisation reference page: DiGeorge syndrome and vaccines
DiGeorge syndrome (also known as velocardiofacial syndrome or 22q11.2 deletion syndrome) is a genetic condition that affects approximately 1 in 2,000 newborns.
The implications of DiGeorge syndrome vary between individuals. It is commonly associated with immunocompromise, making vaccination particularly important to provide protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.
MVEC has recently published a new immunisation reference page on DiGeorge syndrome, including a new guidance developed as a collaboration between MVEC, Queensland Children’s Hospital and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
MVEC: DiGeorge syndrome and vaccines
New immunisation reference page: Immunosuppression in pregnancy and infant vaccine recommendations
Immunosuppressive therapies play an important role in the treatment of many medical conditions.
MVEC has recently published a new immunisation reference page on immunosuppression in pregnancy and infant vaccine recommendations. The page includes a new guidance, developed as a collaboration between MVEC, Queensland Children’s Hospital and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
MVEC: Immunosuppression in pregnancy and infant vaccine recommendations
Translated versions of immunisation reference pages: Influenza and Tuberculosis (BCG)
We are excited to let you know that we are now offering translated versions of a couple of our most popular immunisation reference pages.
Our influenza and tuberculosis/BCG reference pages are both available to read in Hindi, Simplified Chinese, and Vietnamese.
These two reference pages include information on disease symptoms, epidemiology, transmission and vaccine recommendations.
The pages are available via the banner on our homepage, links at the top of our A–Z reference page or by selecting the preferred language from a drop-down box on the reference page itself (MVEC: Influenza and MVEC: Tuberculosis/BCG).
The MVEC newsletter returns in 2024
MVEC’s fortnightly newsletter will return from the beginning of February 2024.
Stay tuned in case of any updates regarding our next Immunisation Skills Workshop. The workshop will be held early next year. If there are any updates between now and February, subscribers will receive an update via email.
You can also stay tuned via our Instagram page.
Immunisation Coalition: 25th Annual Scientific Meeting
The Immunisation Coalition will hold its 25th Annual Scientific Meeting from 4 to 5 February 2024.
The meeting will be held in Melbourne and online, and will be chaired by A/Prof Lou Irving from the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Find out more and register on the Immunisation Coalition's Annual Scientific Meeting event page.
MMWR: Progress in Immunization Safety Monitoring
A recent report shows that national AEFI (adverse event following immunisation) surveillance systems increasingly support the timely sharing of immunisation safety data, including individual case-based reports. When shared globally, individual case safety reports contribute to the description of trends and regional characteristics of AEFIs.
But work is still needed to strengthen global vaccine safety monitoring, and to promote public confidence in national vaccine programs.
MMWR: Progress in Immunization Safety Monitoring
New publication: Analyzing an immunization resource website
Researchers from SAEFVIC (Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination In the Community) recently published an article in ‘Vaccine’, analysing user browsing trends on the MVEC website.
Over a four-year period from 2019 to 2022, there was specific interest in vaccine-related topics corresponding with key vaccine topics like COVID-19 vaccine administration techniques and adverse events following immunisation.
Vaccine: Analyzing an immunization resource website: User browsing trends
CDIC 2024: Call for abstracts
The Communicable Diseases & Immunisation Conference (CDIC) 2024 will be held from 11 to 13 June 2024 in Brisbane. The CDIC is now accepting abstract submissions for presentations, until Friday 23 February 2024.
Head to the Call for abstracts page on the CDIC website for more information about the conference topics and abstract requirements.
The theme of the conference is “Protecting communities: Empowering health through disease control and immunisation”.
The importance of cold chain procedures over the holiday period
Breaches in the cold chain can result in reduced vaccine potency. Immunisation clinics closing for the holiday period are encouraged to perform a vaccine self-storage audit and review their vaccine management protocols. These steps can prevent the occurrence of a cold chain breach and limit the need for wasting vaccines.
After the break, it is important to review the data logger reports to identify whether any cold chain breaches have occurred. This ensures that any affected vaccines are not inadvertently administered, which could lead to an inadequate immune response and result in poor protection against disease.
For more information, visit the MVEC: Cold chain reference page which includes a helpful animation that explains the cold chain journey.