MCRI: Study into rare side effects of COVID-19 vaccines
A new international study will examine the rare side effects caused by COVID-19 vaccines.
The University of Alberta in Canada is leading the study, through the International Network of Special Immunization Services (INSIS). INSIS brings together specialist clinicians in vaccine safety, systems biology and genomics, including AusVaxSafety, to characterise the risk factors and underlying mechanism of adverse events following COVID-19 immunisation.
INSIS focuses on very rare adverse reactions, those which affect less than 0.001 % of the population, that occur after COVID-19 vaccination. This study aims to understand the causes and risk factors behind these occurrences, to ensure the development of even safer vaccines in potential future pandemics.
Read more on the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) website.
MVEC: International Network of Special Immunization Services
MVEC: AusVaxSafety: vaccine safety surveillance in Australia
MVEC: AEFI-CAN: Adverse Events Following Immunisation – Clinical Assessment Network
New immunisation reference page: Open disclosure
Open disclosure is an accreditation requirement of all health services under the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. Open disclosure should occur after any vaccine error, and includes a discussion with the affected person, or their families, carers or other support persons. Open disclosure can be challenging and complex. However, it can produce benefits such as improved transparency and communication between clinicians and patients; and opportunities for health services to improve care delivery systems and processes.
MVEC has recently published a new immunisation reference page on Open disclosure.
New home for COVID-19 information
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria has now moved all COVID-19 information to a new home on the Better Health Channel. Check the website for consumer and clinician information on disease prevention, testing, treatment, long covid, and special risk group advice.
Better Health: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria
Cases of measles rising around the world
Rates of measles have been rising around the world. There were 127 cases in the United Kingdom in January 2024, leading the UK Health Security Agency to declare a National Incident.
In Australia, there were 5 confirmed measles cases in January 2024. This includes 3 in Victoria, 1 in ACT and 1 in Queensland.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a 30-fold increase in measles cases across Europe from 2022 to 2023.
These data remind us of the importance of achieving and maintaining over 95% coverage with 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine.
New Australian CDC
Australia now has its very own Centre for Disease Control (CDC).
Headed by Prof Paul Kelly, the interim Australian CDC launched on 1 January 2024 within the Department of Health and Aged Care. The Australian CDC aims to enhance Australia’s health emergency planning and preparedness, strengthen partnerships with stakeholders and provide transparent and consistent public health advice.
Find out more at the Australian Centre for Disease Control website.
WHO: New polio cases in Indonesia
In December 2023, the Indonesian Ministry of Health notified WHO of two confirmed cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in Java (Central and East).
Two environmental samples taken in East Java were also positive for cVDPV2 in December 2023. Four cases of cVDPV2 infection were reported earlier in 2023 in Aceh province and West Java.
To read more, visit WHO: Disease Outbreak News
Victorian Department of Health: Japanese encephalitis vaccine program
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a rare but potentially serious infection caused by the flavivirus. It is spread to humans through mosquito bites.
Due to recent high rainfall and flooding across large areas of Victoria, the Victorian Department of Health is reminding people to take precautions against mosquito bites, and to get vaccinated if at high risk of exposure to the virus.
Victorian Department of Health: Japanese encephalitis
Launch of National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) program
The Australian government’s National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) program commenced on 1 January 2024.
The NIPVIP allows individuals aged 5 years and over to receive scheduled NIP vaccines in a community pharmacy at no financial cost.
Read more about NIPVIP on the Department of Health and Aged Care website and the Pharmacy Programs Administrator website.
TGA: New RSV vaccine
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of respiratory tract infections in young children and is associated with severe respiratory disease in people aged over 60 years.
In January 2024, AREXVY was registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the immunisation of people aged 60 years and older to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV. AREXVY is a recombinant respiratory syncytial virus pre-fusion F protein vaccine. Guidance on its use is yet to come.
TGA: Guidance and resources on AREXVY
Updated immunisation reference page: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of respiratory tract infections in young children. While for some it can cause the common cold, for others, it may lead to more severe infection. Children under 1 year of age, individuals with underlying medical conditions (e.g. chronic cardiac and lung disease), the older population and immunocompromised people are more likely to experience serious disease and hospitalisation.
MVEC has recently updated its RSV reference page to include information about the newly approved AREXVY vaccine and with more detail on RSV symptoms, epidemiology and prevention.
MVEC: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)