Rotarix® dosing administration wheel - discrepancy in date estimates
Errors in date estimates have been reported when administering Rotarix® vaccines based upon the GSK dosing wheel.
It is important to be aware that there has been no impact on the quality, safety or effectiveness of Rotarix® vaccines and these should continue to be provided to patients as per National Immunisation Program (NIP) recommendations. A 2 dose course is recommended for infants, noting that the first dose of Rotarix® should be administered between 6-14 weeks of age (before turning 15 weeks of age) and the second dose between 10-24 weeks of age (before turning 25 weeks).
GSK have recommended that providers stop using the administration wheel to calculate due dates, discard any copies in their possession and revert to manual calculation of due dates. An updated version of the wheel will be created in 2023.
Updated immunisation reference page: Mpox
Mpox (monkeypox) is a viral zoonosis (an infection spread from animals to humans) caused by a virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus (which also causes the variola virus responsible for smallpox disease and the vaccinia virus, which is used in smallpox vaccines). Since the eradication of smallpox in 1980, mpox has become the most important orthopoxvirus affecting humans, however, causes less severe disease than smallpox.
Increasing numbers of Mpox have been reported globally over the last 2 years, with 141 confirmed or probable cases identified in Australia as of November 2022. Vaccination is currently recommended for individuals identified at highest risk of exposure and severe disease.
Our immunisation reference page has recently been updated to include:
- intradermal administration recommendations
- changes in terminology for pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis.
To view the updated page in full, refer to the link below:
VicSIS services have been discontinued
The Victorian Specialist Immunisation Services (VicSIS) network was established in 2021 to help support the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Victoria. It was coordinated and funded by the Victorian Department of Health (DH) with clinical support provided by SAEFVIC (the Victorian vaccine safety service).
VicSIS provided specialist vaccination services for adults and children who had experienced an adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) with a COVID-19 vaccine, or for those who were identified as at-risk of experiencing an AEFI.
From January 31, 2023 VicSIS services were discontinued. Patients who have experienced an AEFI following vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine, are encouraged to speak to their local health provider for further advice or contact SAEFVIC.
Join the waitlist for our March Immunisation Skills Workshop!
Places in our March Immunisation Skills Workshop have been filled in record time! However, if you should like to join the waitlist please let us know via email at [email protected] .
The Immunisation Skills Workshop will be held on Monday, March 20th. This full day interactive, face to face workshop is MVEC’s newest education opportunity designed to educate and upskill accredited immunisation providers on the principles and processes of managing:
- effective vaccine communication
- error prevention and management
- anaphylaxis and acute stress responses.
In the workshop attendees will hear from immunisation experts and be able to put their learnings into practice through participation in simulated scenarios.
The workshop is not a graded assessment but will account for up to 10 nursing CPD hours and up to 20 points of CPD for pharmacist immunisers (including preparation and reading time).
Venue: The HELP Precinct, The Royal Children’s Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville
Time: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Cost: $290.00 (including catering)
Updated Myocarditis, pericarditis and COVID-19 vaccines animation
MVEC’s Myocarditis, pericarditis and COVID-19 vaccines animation has been updated following the most recent changes to the guidance on myocarditis and pericarditis associated with COVID-19 vaccination.
This update reflects ATAGI’s recent advice which has identified that all of the COVID-19 vaccines available within Australia (including non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) carry a small increased risk of myocarditis or pericarditis occurring following vaccination.
To view the updated animation, follow the link below to our reference page:
MVEC: Myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccines
Updated immunisation reference page: Vaccine administration
Most vaccines available for use in Australia are administered via intramuscular or subcutaneous route, with several being administered intradermally or orally. Administering vaccines via the recommended route and using correct technique is of paramount importance to ensure optimal immune response, minimise side effects and reduce the risk of injury to the patient.
Our Administration of injected vaccines – correct technique reference page has recently been updated and renamed Vaccine administration to include information on injectable and oral routes of vaccine administration. The Vaccine administration page also incorporates information previously found on the Intradermal immunisation reference page.
To view the updated page in full, follow the link below:
Updated immunisation reference page: Measles
Measles is a highly contagious illness caused by the measles virus of the Morbillivirus family.
Infection is characterised by 3-4 days of fever, malaise, cough, coryza and conjunctivitis. A maculopapular rash then develops lasting up to 7 days. Complications of measles infections can include pneumonia, otitis media and encephalitis, which carries a mortality rate of 10-15%.
Sub-acute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare progressive neurological disorder that can develop 2-10 years after an initial measles infection and is fatal in all cases.
Our measles reference page has recently been updated to include information on measles prevention, precautions and contraindications to vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis.
To view the updated page, refer to the link below:
ATAGI recommendations on the use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 4 years
ATAGI have now recommended the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use in some children aged 6 months – 5 years (The Moderna <5 COVID-19 vaccine has already been recommended for use in this group). Eligible groups include those with severe immunocompromise, a disability with severe or complex health needs, or those with multiple/complex health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
A primary three-dose schedule, 8 weeks apart is recommended, with the dose being 3mcg. Unlike Moderna’s primary schedule in this age group, 3 doses are recommended for all eligible children <5 years, regardless of their immune status.
There is no brand preference in this age group, however ATAGI recommend a primary schedule is completed with the same vaccine.
ATAGI does not currently recommend COVID vaccination for children aged 6 months - 5 years who are not in the categories previously mentioned, based on a range of factors.
Recommendations may change as alternative brands or variant COVID-19 vaccines become available in this age group, or if there are epidemiological changes such as new variants of concern that emerge.
To read the ATAGI statement in full, follow the link below:
ATAGI recommendations on the use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 4 years
ATAGI update on boosters following COVID-19 meeting on 11 November 2022
In light of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Australia and the emergence of Omicron subvariants XBB and BQ.1, ATAGI have provided an update on booster advice.
Whilst no new recommendations for additional doses have been provided, ATAGI have reiterated the importance of staying up to date with the current number of recommended doses. Under-vaccinated people remain at an increased risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19.
Recent figures (as of November 9, 2022) show that 5.5 million eligible people have not received a first booster dose. Further to this, there are 3.2 million people aged 50 years or older who have not received a second booster dose.
If you are due for a booster dose now you can book via the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.
To read the ATAGI update in full, refer to the link below:
ATAGI update on boosters following COVID-19 meeting on 11 November 2022
ATAGI recommendations on use of the Pfizer bivalent (Original/Omicron BA.1) COVID-19 vaccine
ATAGI have provided recommendations for the use of the Pfizer bivalent COVID vaccine following its recent provisional approval by the TGA. This means that there are now 2 bivalent COVID vaccines available for use within Australia- Moderna and Pfizer.
The Pfizer bivalent vaccine contains equal parts of mRNA from the spike protein of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Omicron BA.1 variant.
ATAGI recommends that the Pfizer bivalent vaccine may be given to anyone aged 18 years or over who is eligible for a booster dose. It is not recommended for use in a primary course of COVID vaccination.
There is no preference for either brand of bivalent or original mRNA COVID vaccines as a booster dose.
For read the ATAGI recommendations in full, head to the link below:
ATAGI recommendations on use of the Pfizer bivalent (Original/Omicron BA.1) COVID-19 vaccine