Reminder: Japanese encephalitis vaccination
This mosquito season, people travelling to regions where Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is present should take precautions to be protected. Protection may include physical barriers (e.g. long, loose clothing, DEET, mosquito nets) and vaccination.
Japanese encephalitis is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable encephalitis in Asia and the Western Pacific.
Vaccination is recommended for those at highest risk of exposure so JEV. Some individuals are prioritised and funded to receive vaccines through state-led programs.
For detailed information, visit MVEC: Japanese encephalitis
BBC: US panel votes to end recommending hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns
The US-based Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now recommends individual-based decision-making for hepatitis B vaccination in babies born to mothers who have tested negative for liver infection.
According to BBC, public health experts worry ACIP’s decision will raise unfounded safety concerns about the vaccine.
Up to 90% of those infected with hepatitis B in infancy will go on to develop chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer and death. There is no cure for chronic hepatitis B.
Read the full article here: BBC: US panel votes to end recommending hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns
For stories of those affected by hepatitis B, visit BBC: They contracted hepatitis before the vaccine was given at birth – now the shot may be delayed again
Read more about hepatitis B disease, epidemiology, transmission and vaccination at MVEC: Hepatitis B
ATAGI statement on the importance and safety of hepatitis B vaccine at birth
On 11 December 2025, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) released a statement on the importance and safety of hepatitis B vaccination at birth.
ATAGI outlines reasons for their birth dose recommendations, including:
- Screening during pregnancy does not always occur
- The pregnant person may become infected after screening
- Transmission from another household member to the baby may occur
- Babies infected at birth have about a 90% chance of developing chronic hepatitis B
Read the full statement at ATAGI statement on the importance and safety of hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
For more information about hepatitis B disease, transmission, epidemiology and vaccination, visit MVEC: Hepatitis B.
MVEC education on social media
MVEC shares evidence-based vaccine education on social media. This up-to-date material provides accessible information for healthcare professionals and the general public alike, and can be used as an education tool.
Support MVEC by following us on Instagram and sharing reliable vaccine content on social media.
Unbiased Science: Evidence, Not Guesswork: The Childhood Vaccine Schedule is Very Intentional
Public health expert and science communicator Dr Jess Steier and colleagues have recently published an article illustrating how the US recommended vaccine schedule is built on clinical trial data and ongoing safety monitoring.
The article covers why vaccines are given at different timepoints, who determines the schedule, how new vaccines are added and how vaccines are continually monitored.
Read the article in full at Evidence, Not Guesswork: The Childhood Vaccine Schedule is Very Intentional
NCIRS: Influenza vaccines – FAQs
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) recently updated its Influenza vaccines FAQs page to include a new section with answers to common question about the intranasal flu vaccine FluMist.
Visit the NCIRS Influenza vaccines – FAQs page.
For more information about influenza disease, transmission and protection, visit MVEC: Influenza.
Melbourne Ageing Well Expo: 20–21 March 2026
MVEC will be an exhibitor at next year’s Ageing Well Expo. The expo showcases the latest innovations in health, aged care, lifestyle and wellbeing. Registrations open Friday 12 December.
Lear more on the Ageing Well Expo website.
Date: 20–21 March 2026
Venue: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
A reminder about diluents and vaccine safety
Vaccine errors, relating to the way a vaccine is stored, prepared or administered, are a type of adverse event following immunisation (AEFI). Diluent-related errors occur when only the diluent of a vaccine requiring reconstitution is administered, or the incorrect diluent is used to reconstitute a vaccine manufactured in a powered or pellet form.
In general, where only a diluent has been administered, the vaccine should be repeated ideally on the same day or as soon as possible.
The diluent supplied with Infanrix hexa contains the DTPa-hepB-IPV (diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis, hepatitis B, inactivated poliovirus) components as liquid in a syringe. If only the Infanrix hexa diluent is administered, the vaccinee will not receive the Hib (haemophilus influenzae type B) component of the vaccine. In this instance, a dose of ActHIB should be given either at the same time or as soon as the error is realised. This will provide protection against Hib without increasing the chance of vaccine reactions due to the additional dose of other antigens if Infanrix hexa were repeated.
If doses are packaged in multipacks, there is an added complication of identifying which individuals have been impacted by a diluent error. In the case of a discrepancy in diluent–antigen count in a multipack, it is difficult to narrow down which individuals are impacted.
Any adverse event following immunisation (AEFI), including diluent errors, should be reported to the adverse event reporting service in your jurisdiction.
MVEC: Open disclosure
MVEC: Multidose vials
Education Portal: Use of multidose vials eLearning
MVEC: Herpes zoster (shingles)
Strengthening AEFI Causality Assessment in Lao PDR
MVEC Director Prof Nigel Crawford and Education Nurse Coordinator Rachael McGuire, recently travelled to Lao PDR in support of vaccine safety.
Delivering a workshop funded by WHO Lao PDR Country Office, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Australian Government through the Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative, they were joined by colleagues Prof Kristine Macartney (NCIRS), Bernice Sarpong (NCIRS), and Prof Julie Leask (University of Sydney). Over 3 days, members of the National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), Laos AEFI committee, clinicians and specialists explored management and reporting of adverse events, adverse event case definitions, causality assessments, and adverse event communication. At the conclusion of the teaching, it was exciting to see our Laos counterparts set themselves goals to work towards that will strengthen the country’s immunisation safety practices in the future.
Following the workshop, Nigel and Rachael were invited to visit Mahasot Hospital, Vientiane, and the Children’s Hospital, Vientiane. Observing in-country immunisation practice and capacity, and understanding the challenges of the current systems proved invaluable for identifying ways to increase both immunisation coverage and trust in vaccines. MCRI and MVEC continue to support vaccine safety in Laos into 2027 with support from the Australian Government.