Trending immunisation resources: Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
SIRVAs are a rare but serious complication following suspected inadvertent administration of a vaccine too high in the deltoid or into the shoulder joint. This can lead to a local inflammatory response and potential trauma to local structures within the shoulder. Implications of SIRVA can include long-term pain and restricted movement, difficulty with completing activities of daily living/caring for others, time off work, loss of income, inability to participate in sports/hobbies and impacts on the social and emotional wellbeing of the affected person.
Ensuring a correct injection technique can prevent SIRVA from occurring in the first place. We encourage vaccine providers to familiarise themselves with MVEC’s Administration of injected vaccines – correct technique reference page for guidance on identifying the correct injection site.
Further information on SIRVA, including diagnosis and treatment, can be found on our SIRVA immunisation reference page. We also encourage providers to complete our free Education Portal eLearning package on SIRVA.
Victorian Department of Health: Mpox health alert updated
The Victorian Department of Health has updated its alert relating to local transmission of mpox.
The health alert, first published on 29 April 2024, was updated on 28 May 2024, and again on 6 June 2024.
Since 18 April this year, there have been 24 confirmed cases of mpox in Victoria, 21 of which were acquired locally.
Eligibility criteria for free mpox vaccination in Victoria have been expanded.
Find more information about the recent transmission and accessing vaccines at the Department of Health: Local transmission of mpox in Victoria health alert.
MVEC featured on health podcasts
MVEC nurse educators Katie Butler and Rachael McGuire have recently featured as guests on local health podcasts.
Katie was a guest on the PAEDS Education ‘PEADS Small Talk’ podcast, as part of a mini series celebrating International Nurses Day (12 May).
Listen now, IND Mini Series: Katie – The Immunisation Educator Nurse
Rachael was a guest on the Royal Children’s Hospital Education Hub podcast ‘The conversation with the experts’ where she discussed vaccine administration.
Listen now, Vaccine administration insights
Australian Immunisation Handbook: New chapter on mpox
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care recently added a new chapter on mpox (previously known as monkeypox) to the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
Mpox is a viral zoonosis (an infection spread from animals to humans). In Victoria, vaccination is available free of charge for individuals who meet certain criteria.
The new chapter on mpox includes detailed information on mpox disease, epidemiology, vaccination and more.
Read the new chapter at Australian Immunisation Handbook: Mpox
Victorian Department of Health: Mpox
MVEC: Mpox
BBC: A 70-year-old system could help us prepare a bird flu vaccine for humans
There is a current global animal pandemic of avian influenza, but the virus does not yet have the ability to spread efficiently in humans. Should this change, there are systems in place to produce a human vaccine for bird flu.
This month in Victoria, a human case of avian influenza was detected in a recently returned traveller.
Read more about avian flu vaccine preparedness at BBC: A 70-year-old system could help us prepare a bird flu vaccine for humans.
Victorian Department of Health: Recent health alerts
In the last fortnight the Victorian Department of Health has issued health alerts relating to measles and COVID-19.
On 10 May an alert was issued regarding an increase in COVID-19 activity, resulting in an increase in hospitalisations. The Department suggests six steps to stay ahead of COVID-19:
- wear a mask
- get vaccinated
- let fresh air in
- get tested
- stay at home
- take antivirals if eligible.
You can read more about the COVID-19 alert on the Health Department’s website.
On 11 May, then updated on 17 May, alerts were issued relating to two separate cases of measles in returned overseas travellers. Measles is highly infectious. Visit the Health Department’s website for more information including a list of exposure sites.
The Conversation: Flu vaccines are no longer free for all under-12s in NZ
After free flu vaccines were funded for children under 12 in 2022, funding in New Zealand has now been cut back meaning only high-risk children aged 6 months to under 4 years are eligible for free vaccines.
In Australia, all children aged 6 months to under 5 years are eligible for free influenza vaccination. Annual flu vaccination is recommended for all Australians aged over 6 months.
Read about the impact of New Zealand’s funded influenza vaccine program in The Conversation: Flu vaccines are no longer free for all under-12s in NZ.
The Conversation: Too many Australians aren’t getting a flu vaccine. Why, and what can we do about it?
Holly Seale from the School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney examines the rates of influenza vaccine uptake in Australia so far in 2024, and explores solutions to rates that are lowers than at the same point last year.
OPTIONS XII for the Control of Influenza: Late breaking abstract submissions open
OPTIONS for the Control of Influenza is a global scientific meeting with a dedicated focus on influenza. OPTIONS XII will be held in Brisbane from Sunday 29 September to Wednesday 2 October 2024.
Highlights of this year’s conference include focuses on:
- Pacific Island and First Nations health
- Interdisciplinary science
- Knowledge exchange and networking
- Policy and advocacy.
Submissions for late breaking orals and posters are open until 11 July 2024.
Earlybird registrations are open until 13 June 2024.
Learn more about OPTIONS XII and abstract submission on the OPTIONS XII website.
A course in Vaccinology and Immunisation Science
Registration is now open for an eight-part course on vaccinology, presented by the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI).
A course in Vaccinology and Immunisation Science will be delivered fortnightly in 1.5 hour sessions online, presented by world-leading Australian and international experts. Topics are as follows:
- 5 June – Immunology & Modern Vaccine Design
- 19 June – Vaccine Evaluation: Clinical Trials & Real World Evidence
- 3 July – Economics & Regulation
- 17 July – Role of Industry
- 31 July – Immunisation Program Advice and Delivery
- 14 August – Immunisation Effectiveness Evaluation
- 28 August – Vaccine Safety, Confidence and Hesitancy
- 11 September – The Future
Read more and register on the a course in Vaccinology and Immunisation Science website.