Immunisation Coalition: Influenza / COVID-19 / RSV webinar series
The Immunisation Coalition is hosting a series of 3 webinars on common vaccine-preventable respiratory viruses over the next three months, to be held on:
- 17 April 2024
- 22 May 2024
- 19 June 2024
These will include parent discussions on how the influenza, COVID-19 and RSV season is progressing and strategies around increasing vaccination rates.
Find out more and register on the Immunisation Coalition event page.
New episodes: The Vaccine Coverage
Today, MVEC released the fourth episode of our new podcast.
The most recent two episodes feature Prof Jim Buttery and Prof Nigel Crawford on the process of rolling out a vaccine, and Dr Linny Kimly Phuong on vaccines and the immune system. The podcast is tailored for an audience of both healthcare professionals and members of the general public.
Search ‘The Vaccine Coverage’ on your preferred podcast player, or listen via our website.
Once you have listened to the episodes, we would be grateful to get some feedback via this short survey.
Western Australia announces funding for RSV protection
Western Australia has announced that they will roll out a statewide program for long-acting monoclonal antibody Nirsevimab from April 2024. Nirsevimab (available in Australia under the brand name Beyfortus) is indicated for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in neonates and infants.
Western Australian children eligible for Nirsevimab include:
- all infants from birth to under 8 months
- infants from 8 months to 19 months at increased risk of severe RSV.
Nirsevimab will be available at birthing hospitals, GP practices, community health clinics and at Aboriginal Medical Services across Western Australia.
There were approximately 128,000 confirmed RSV cases in Australia in 2023, including approximately 65,000 children aged 4 years and under.
For more information, see MVEC: RSV and WA Media Statement on RSV
New immunisation reference page: Specialist immunisation services
MVEC has recently published a new reference page with information about specialist immunisation services available in Victoria.
Specialist immunisation services are hospital-based immunisation clinics led by a team of specialised medical and nursing staff with expertise in vaccines and immunisation.
MVEC’s new page provides information about accessing the Victorian services.
MVEC: Specialist immunisation services
Updated immunisation reference page: Influenza
Influenza virus can cause infections resulting in a spectrum of symptoms, from mild cough and cold features to systemic illnesses with multiple complications. Pregnant women, children under 5 years, those aged over 65 years, people with underlying medical conditions, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples carry the highest rates of morbidity and mortality within Australia. Annual vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.
MVEC has recently updated its influenza reference page to detail the recommendations for vaccination in 2024, including the influenza strains included in this year’s vaccines, the vaccine brands available by age and funding, and commonly asked questions.
MVEC: Influenza
(NB: translated versions of the updated influenza reference page will be available soon)
CVU mini: Save the date
Please save the date for MVEC’s next CVU mini to be held on Friday 21 June 2024.
The CVU mini will focus on RSV preventative therapies.
This half-day, face-to-face event offers healthcare professionals the opportunity to hear from leading experts on the latest in RSV prevention.
Learn more, including topics and speakers, on our event page and stay tuned for more details.
Read about RSV on the MVEC: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) reference page.
The Vaccine Coverage: MVEC’s new podcast is out!
MVEC has released the first two episodes of our new podcast, ‘The Vaccine Coverage’.
This series features conversations with special guests on a range of topics relating to vaccination in Australia.
The first two episodes cover vaccine myths, and how our body's respond when we receive a vaccine.
Listen on our website or search ‘The Vaccine Coverage’ in your favourite podcast app.
Immunisation Coalition: 2024 HPV webinar
The Immunisation Coalition will hold its annual update on human papillomavirus (HPV) on Wednesday 13 March.
The webinar will be held from 6:00 p.m.–7 p.m. (AEDT) and features Angela Newbound as presenter and Dr Andrew Minton as moderator.
Find out more and register on the Immunisation Coalition’s event page.
NCIRS: Upcoming webinars on respiratory disease
In March, the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) will hold two webinars in their ‘Preventing respiratory disease in 2024’ series: on RSV on Thursday 7 March and on influenza on Wednesday 27 March.
Learn more and register for ‘RSV vaccines for the protection of older adults’
Thursday 7 March at 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Learn more and register for ‘Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination update’
Wednesday 27 March at 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Catch up on ‘New RSV vaccine and antibody to prevent disease in infants’
Held on Tuesday 27 February, recording now available
ATAGI: Statement on the clinical use of Arexvy
ATAGI (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation) has published a statement on the clinical use of Arexvy, a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, for the prevention of RSV in older adults in Australia.
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.
Arexvy is available on the private market, and is recommended for:
- all adults aged over 75 years
- First Nations Australians aged 60 to 74 years
- Non-Indigenous Australians with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe disease due to RSV.
ATAGI’s full statement includes further details on recommendations, contraindications, coadministration, RSV and Arexvy.
A new chapter on RSV will be available in the Australian Immunisation Handbook by mid-2024. Until then, use the ATAGI statement for clinical guidance.
ATAGI: Statement on the clinical use of Arexvy