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
Save the date for MVEC’s Immunisation Skills Workshop – Friday 2 September 2022
MVEC are pleased to invite you to save the date for our Immunisation Skills Workshop taking place on Friday 2nd September.
The full day interactive, face-to-face workshop is MVEC’s newest learning opportunity designed to provide education and upskilling in the principles and processes of managing:
- effective vaccine communication
- error prevention and management
- anaphylaxis and acute stress responses
Participants will hear from immunisation experts and have the opportunity to engage in simulated scenarios.
The workshop will account for 12 nursing CPD hours and up to 24 points of CPD for pharmacist immunisers (including preparation and reading time).
Further program details and a link to register will be available via our events page soon.
NCIRS resource now available – Influenza vaccination coverage data
NCIRS have published a report outlining influenza vaccination coverage according to state/territory as well as age group, in Australia in 2022. Rates are compared to vaccination coverage reported in 2020 and 2021. This report will be updated weekly and uses data obtained from the Australian Immunisation Register.
Influenza vaccines are recommended for all people aged ≥ 6 months. They are provided for free on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for at-risk groups including children under 5, people with specific medical risk factors, pregnant women, people aged 65 and over and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged ≥ 6 months. Some individual jurisdictions are also providing free flu vaccination for all aged ≥ 6 months. Any other individuals who are unable to source a funded vaccine can obtain a flu vaccine for a small fee.
As of the 11th June 2022, 31.6% of Australians aged 6 months and above had received an influenza vaccination, and just 20.2% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples had received one.
To view the NCIRS data, please click on the link below.
NCIRS Influenza vaccination coverage data
For more information on influenza vaccines, please click on the link below.
MVEC: Influenza recommendations
New resource for seniors added to the MVEC immunisation hub for the general public
Due to the immune system becoming less effective as we age and the increasing risk of severe disease, immunisation is an important aspect of health promotion for seniors.
Our dedicated immunisation resource includes information for seniors on vaccine preventable diseases, 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:
Resource for seniors: MVEC’s new Immunisation hub for the general public
ATAGI recommendations on first booster dose in adolescents aged 12-15 years
ATAGI has provided updated advice regarding COVID-19 booster doses for those aged 12-15 years.
A single booster dose of Comirnaty (Pfizer) is now recommended for the following select groups:
- those who are severely immunocompromised
- those who have a disability with significant or complex health needs
- those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19.
Booster doses can be administered ≥ 3 months after the completion of the primary course, or ≥ 3 months after COVID-19 infection (whichever is later).
There is currently insufficient evidence to support expanding this booster dose recommendation to other groups of adolescents aged 12-15 years, however this advice may change in the future as more evidence emerges.
To read the advice in full please follow the link below.
ATAGI recommendations on first booster dose in adolescents aged 12-15 years
Updated MVEC immunisation reference page: Kawasaki disease and immunisation
MVEC’s reference page on Kawasaki disease and immunisation has recently been updated. This resource outlines:
- what Kawasaki disease is
- vaccine recommendations for providers
- specific precautions to take when vaccinating
To view the page in full, follow the link below:
MVEC: Kawasaki disease and immunisation