Updated MVEC immunisation reference page: COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescent page
MVEC’s COVID-19 vaccination in children and the adolescent reference page has been updated to include the current recommendations for children under 5 years of age. This resource details:
- Recommended COVID-19 vaccine schedule information for children and adolescents aged ≥ 6 months
- Information on the efficacy and side effects of COVID-19 vaccination in the paediatric population
- Links to current ATAGI COVID-19 vaccine recommendations in the various paediatric and adolescent age groups
To view the page in full, follow the link below:
MVEC: COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescents
New immunisation reference page – Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (an infection spread from animals to humans). It is 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, monkeypox has become the most important orthopoxvirus affecting humans, however, causes less severe disease than smallpox.
The incubation period of monkeypox is usually 7-14 days, with initial symptoms of monkeypox including fever, headache, backache and muscle aches, fatigue and lymphadenopathy. Historically, smallpox vaccines have been used in the prevention of smallpox infection, however, they are also likely to be effective against monkeypox.
There are two types of smallpox vaccines registered for use in Australia for the prevention of monkeypox, ACAM2000™ and JYNNEOS®.
Our new reference page outlines symptoms, transmission routes, epidemiology, current vaccine recommendations and links to the latest resources.
For further information, click on the link below:
MVEC: Monkeypox
ATAGI recommendations on COVID-19 vaccine use in children under 5 years
ATAGI have now recommended COVID-19 vaccination for some children aged 6 months – 5 years. 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 paediatric formula of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by the TGA in this age group for children in the groups mentioned above. A primary two-dose schedule, 8 weeks apart is recommended, with the dose being 25mcg. Children in this age group with severe immunocompromise are recommended to complete a 3-dose primary schedule.
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 recommendations in full please follow the link below.
ATAGI recommendations on COVID-19 vaccine use in children aged 6 months to <5 years
Safety of COVID-19 vaccines in >200,000 Aussie kids: reassuring data from AusVaxSafety
New AusVaxSafety research which analysed 392,268 survey responses via AusVaxSafety’s national active safety surveillance system between July 2021 and May 2022, has found that Australian children aged 5-15 years report fewer side effects in the days following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination than those reported in clinical trials and published safety data.
Importantly, fever was reported low in the youngest age group, comparable to that seen following annual influenza vaccination. Additionally, there were also no self-reported cases of myocarditis and pericarditis identified in the study.
AusVaxSafety will commence surveillance in children aged 6 months to 5 years once COVID-19 vaccines become available in this age group.
To access the research in full, click on the link below.
Safety of COVID-19 vaccines in >200,000 Aussie kids: reassuring data from AusVaxSafety
Flinders University Alumni publication featuring A/Prof Nigel Crawford: Providing the vital boost for us to fight COVID-19
MVEC’s Associate Professor Nigel Crawford was featured in the Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health Alumni magazine regarding his significant contribution to Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout. As the current chair of the Australian Technical Advisory Group for Immunisation (ATAGI), Nigel discusses his role in steering Australia’s uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, including effective communication and the ability to remain flexible when responding to and adapting vaccine advice for the general public.
To read the full article, follow the link below.
Registrations opening soon for our next CVU mini August event
MVEC’s next Clinical Vaccinology Update (CVU) mini event on COVID-19: infection and vaccines in children aged 6 months and over will take place virtually in August, with the date to be announced shortly. This CVU mini will provide an update on:
- COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for Australian children over 6 months
- The safety profile of COVID-19 vaccines in children
The event program and link to register will be available shortly via our Events page or via the link below.
New resource for adults added to the MVEC immunisation information hub for the general public
Immunisation throughout life is an important way to remain protected against vaccine preventable diseases, and not only protects the individual, but more vulnerable members of society.
Our dedicated immunisation resource for the general public includes information on the HALO principle when considering immunisation for adults, Health, Age, Lifestyle and Occupation, as well as vaccine recommendations, answers to frequently asked questions and links to further resources.
MVEC’s hub of up-to-date and reliable information aims to increase the public’s awareness and understanding of vaccine preventable diseases and promote the benefits of immunisation for people of all ages.
If you are interested in collaborating with MVEC to develop immunisation resources, we’d love to hear from you!
To access this new resource for seniors, please click on the link below.
MVEC’s Immunisation hub for the general public
Save the date for our 2022 Clinical Vaccinology Update!
MVEC are pleased to announce that our next Clinical Vaccinology Update (CVU) will take place on Friday 28 October. The event will be held in-person at the University of Melbourne.
The CVU will provide an opportunity for immunisation providers, industry partners and vaccine experts to come together for interactive professional development and networking.
Program details and ticketing information will be announced shortly via our MVEC Events Page
The Conversation: COVID vaccines for children under 5 are almost here. Here’s what parents need to know
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved a paediatric dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children aged from six months.
MVEC’s Dr Daryl Cheng, along with A/Prof Margie Danchin, explore what parents need to know ahead of Australia’s rollout of the Moderna vaccine in this cohort, including the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and the benefits and implications of vaccinating this age group in this article.
To read the article in full, please click on the link below:
The Conversation: COVID vaccines for children under 5 are almost here. Here’s what parents need to know
Updated MVEC immunisation reference page: Travel medicine
Travel medicine focuses on disease prevention and injury risk minimisation for anyone travelling internationally. Recommendations can be based upon the travelling person’s individual circumstances such as the location and purpose of travel, duration and time of year of travel, as well as any underlying medical conditions or other risk factors.
MVEC’s reference page on Travel medicine has recently been updated. This resource outlines:
- where to get travel advice and when to seek advice
- vaccines for travellers
- immunocompromised and pregnant travellers
- advice for visiting friends and relatives (VFR).
To view the page in full, follow the link below:
MVEC: Travel medicine