Month: February 2025

NSW Health: First death of person with Japanese encephalitis since 2022

NSW has reported the death of a person who had been receiving care for Japanese encephalitis (JE) since early February. This is the first death in NSW from JE since May of 2022. It is believed the person acquired JE while visiting the Murrumbidgee region in January. 

JE is a rare but potentially serious disease spread to humans through mosquito bites. JE can be prevented through physical barriers aimed at preventing mosquito bites, and vaccination for individuals in high-risk groups. 

Some Australian states have programs to fund vaccines for those with specific risk factors. 

Read NSW Health’s full statement here. 

For more information about JE disease and prevention, head to MVEC: Japanese encephalitis. 

by Alice Black

Texas Health and Human Services: First death in measles outbreak

The Texas Department of State Health Services in the United States has reported the first death from measles in an outbreak that has been ongoing since late January 2025. The person who died was a child who was not vaccinated against measles.

As of 25 February, there have been 124 cases confirmed in the outbreak, most of which are in children.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness. Initial symptoms include fever, malaise, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis, followed by rash. Complications include pneumonia and otitis media (ear infection); 1 in 1000 people will develop encephalitis (brain inflammation).

Vaccines are highly effective in protecting against disease. 

Read the Texas Department of State Health Services’ full statement here. 

There is an active health alert in Victoria regarding recent measles cases in the state. Read the Victorian Department of Health alert here. 

For more information about measles, head to MVEC: Measles. 

Previous MVEC news on measles:
MVEC: Cases of measles rising around the world (February 2024) 
MVEC: The dangers of vaccine misinformation: Robert F Kennedy Jr (July 2023)

by Alice Black

AIR: Mandatory reporting changes from 1 March 2025

From Saturday 1 March 2025, it will be mandatory for all vaccination providers to report information about whether an individual was pregnant at the time of vaccine administration on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). 

AIR is a ‘whole of life’ national database recording all vaccines administered in Australia. Reporting vaccine administration to AIR is mandatory. 

Read more on the mandatory reporting changes on the federal Department of Health and Aged Care website, and read more about AIR on MVEC’s reference page, MVEC: Australian Immunisation Register.

by Alice Black

Australian Immunisation Handbook: Updated to reflect removal of Zostavax

The Australian Immunisation Handbook has been updated to reflect the removal of Zostavax, a vaccine used to protect against zoster, also referred to as shingles. Zoster is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes varicella (chickenpox). 

Zostavax was a live-attenuated vaccine previously available under the National Immunisation Program, and was replaced by Shingrix in November 2023. 

The following sections of the Australian Immunisation Handbook have been updated: 

• Zoster (herpes zoster)
• Fundamentals of immunisation 
• Catch-up vaccination. 

MVEC: Zoster (herpes zoster) (please note that MVEC's immunisation reference page has also been updated to reflect the removal of Zostavax)
Australian Immunisation Handbook 

by Alice Black

CDC: February 2025 ACIP meeting postponed

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an expert independent advisory group within the Center for Disease Control (CDC), is the national immunisation technical advisory group (NITAG) for the United States – the equivalent of Australia’s ATAGI.

ACIP in an internationally recognised leading NITAG and holds three regular meetings each year, in which the committee reviews scientific data and votes on US vaccine recommendations. These meetings are open to the public via live webcast, and materials, including all presentation slides, are made available for download following the meetings.

ACIP’s meeting planned for 26 to 28 February 2025 has been postponed.

Data shared through ACIP communications, and the discussions held during these meetings, are a valued resource for Australian immunisation providers and policymakers.
Materials from past meetings and the planned agenda for the postponed February meeting currently remain available on the ACIP website.

Find more information on NITAGS on the Global NITAG Network’s (GNN) website.

by Alice Black

In memory of Penny Jones

The MVEC and SAEFVIC teams are deeply saddened by the passing of Penny Jones.

Penny was instrumental in founding Spleen Australia, based at the Alfred Hospital. She was a passionate advocate for patients without a functioning spleen and was dedicated to reducing their risk of infections by providing education and individualised support. Her unwavering commitment to ensuring patients had access to affordable vaccines was unparalleled.

It has been an honour to have known and worked with Penny. She will be missed by her colleagues, friends, and everyone whose lives she touched.

by Alice Black