Updated immunisation reference page: Influenza
We have recently updated our Influenza reference page in accordance with 2023 vaccine recommendations.
The reference page includes up-to-date vaccine brand and dosing advice, information about eligibility for funded doses under the National Immunisation Program and a helpful commonly asked questions guide.
To view the updated page in full, follow the link below:
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have now expired
As of 20 March 2023, all AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (Vaxzevria) stock available in Australia has expired.
Any remaining stock should not be administered and should be disposed of according to your state or territory’s requirements.
Nuvaxovid (Novavax), Spikevax (Moderna) and Comirnaty (Pfizer) remain available for COVID-19 vaccine administration.
NCIRS: Recording of COVID-19 and influenza vaccination update 2023
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) has recently uploaded recordings of presentations from its annual influenza webinar, held on 16 March 2023.
This year, the webinar included presentations on:
- Learnings from the recent northern hemisphere winter experience managing COVID-19 and influenza
- The latest Australian COVID-19 vaccination and booster recommendations
- 2023 Australian influenza vaccination recommendations across the lifespan, including important changes for 0-5 year olds
New England Journal of Medicine Interview: What to expect from Covid-19 vaccines
In this New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) audio interview, virologist and immunologist Dr Barney Graham discusses structural biology and the future of COVID-19, RSV and other vaccines.
Dr Graham was at the forefront of vaccine development for COVID-19 and has a background studying RSV. In this interview, he reflects on his work with the Vaccine Research Center (VRC) and emphasises the importance of education for improving vaccine uptake.
NEJM Audio interview with Barney Graham
ATAGI recommendations on the use of the Moderna bivalent (Original/Omicron 4/5) COVID-19 vaccine
ATAGI have updated their recommendations on the use of the Moderna bivalent COVID vaccine, with it now being recommended as an option in anyone aged 12 years and over who is eligible for a booster dose.
The Moderna bivalent vaccine contains equal parts of mRNA from the spike proteins from the ancestral strain of SARS-CoV-2 and the Omicron BA.4/5 subvariant.
Bivalent vaccines are the preferred option for booster doses as early evidence indicates they provide greater protection against hospitalisation or death from circulating subvariants than the original Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.
They are not recommended for use in a primary course of COVID vaccination.
For read the ATAGI recommendations in full, head to the link below:
ATAGI recommendations on the use of the Moderna bivalent (Original/Omicron 4/5) COVID-19 vaccine
Updated immunisation reference page: Human papillomavirus
Our human papillomavirus (HPV) reference page has been updated to reflect the National Immunisation Program (NIP) recently moving to a single dose of vaccine only for immune competent individuals 25 years of age and under. Immunocompromised individuals of any age and anyone 26 years of age and over continue to be recommended 3 doses for optimal protection.
HPV is a double stranded DNA virus that can infect both men and women. It can affect a person’s anogenital or respiratory tract. There are more than 100 known sub-types of HPV, with 40 of them affecting the anogenital region.
Vaccination against HPV is ideally provided prior to sexual activity to protect against the development of lesions such as genital warts, cutaneous warts and respiratory papillomatosis, as well as various cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, oral cavity and oropharynx.
HPV vaccination is currently provided to all school aged adolescents in year 7, with a funded catch-up program available up to the age of 26 years.
For more information refer to MVEC: Human papillomavirus
New immunisation reference page: COVID-19
COVID-19 is a disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Coronaviruses can cause a range of illnesses, from mild respiratory infections to more serious disease affecting multiple organs and systems. SARS-CoV-2 is a highly contagious strain of coronavirus discovered in 2019. It is a strain that had not been previously detected in humans that spread rapidly, resulting in a global pandemic.
COVID-19 disease can be asymptomatic, cause mild to moderate symptoms or can progress to severe illness in over 10% of people, requiring hospitalisation and mechanical ventilation, or even death. Even when infections are asymptomatic; individuals can still transmit disease to other people.
Tens of millions of people have been infected with COVID-19 globally and millions have died. The virus has had vast impacts on society, not only from a public health perspective, but the economic, social and mental health effects have been and continue to be, enormous.
Vaccination against COVID-19 disease aims to reduce the severity of symptoms and need for hospitalisations. Recommendations are based on an individual’s level of risk of severe disease.
Our new COVID-19 reference page brings together information from across our website on COVID-19 disease, vaccine recommendations and vaccine side effects.
To view the page in full, refer to the link below:
Updated immunisation reference page: Meningococcal
Meningococcal disease constitutes any illness caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. There are 13 known sub-types (serogroups) and of these, 5 are currently vaccine preventable (B and A, C, W, Y).
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) can cause meningitis (inflammation of the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord) and septicaemia (infection in the blood), as well as other infections like pneumonia (lung infection), arthritis (inflammation of the joints) and conjunctivitis (eye infection). Mortality (death) can be as high as 5-10% with permanent lifelong complications occurring in 10-20% of those who survive.
Individuals with specified medical conditions that increase the risk of IMD are recommended and funded to receive additional meningococcal vaccines and booster doses.
Our immunisation reference page has recently been updated to include:
- updated MenACWY vaccine recommendations for high-risk individuals
- updated MenB vaccine recommendations for high-risk individuals.
To view the updated page in full, refer to the link below:
Updated immunisation recommendations for those with asplenia or hyposplenia
Following a change in the recommendation for booster doses of meningococcal B and ACWY vaccines for those at increased risk of invasive meningococcal disease, MVEC have updated their guidance on the immunisation of people with asplenia or hyposplenia.
The spleen plays an important role in preventing infection by removing bacteria (particularly encapsulated bacteria) from the blood stream. Individuals with anatomical asplenia or hyposplenia are therefore at an increased risk of infection. In addition to being up to date with National Immunisation Program (NIP) and COVID-19 vaccines, individuals with asplenia or hyposplenia are recommended and funded to receive extra vaccines.
To view these recommendations please refer to MVEC: Asplenia and hyposplenia
HPV schedule changes from February 2023
Following the review of a large volume of international evidence, ATAGI have recommended that a single dose of Gardasil®9 (human papillomavirus vaccine) provides comparable protection in immune competent individuals compared with a 2 dose course. This recommendation is in line advice from the World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) and the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination Immunisation (JCVI).
As a result, from February 6 2023, the National Immunisation program (NIP) moved to a single dose only Gardasil®9 schedule for immune competent adolescents aged 12-13 years. Individuals who have previously received 1 dose only and are waiting to receive their second dose no longer need to receive this dose, and are considered up to date. The Gardasil®9 catch-up program has also changed to a single dose only and has been extended to all individuals up 25 years and under.
Immunocompromised individuals are still recommended to receive a 3 dose course of vaccination to ensure optimum protection.