SMH: Separating reproductive health fact from COVID-19 vaccine fiction
Dr Daryl Cheng spoke to ABC journalist Sarah Berry regarding the increasing amount of misinformation circulating about COVID-19 vaccines and women’s health. Many of the rumours target women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and who are already experiencing anxiety about making the best choices for the health of their babies.
In this article, Dr Daryl Cheng provides scientific data-based insights on the vaccine’s effect on reproductive health. The data focuses on providing advice and information to help refute some persistent rumours regarding fertility, menstruation, and IVF treatments in women.
Follow this link to read the full article:
SMH: Separating reproductive health fact from COVID-19 vaccine fiction
The Conversation: Who can’t have a COVID vaccine and how do I get a medical exemption?
State and territory governments and businesses are currently in the process of establishing COVID-19 vaccine mandates across a range of sectors, including the Victorian government which mandated COVID vaccination for all authorised workers last week. Despite this necessary step, there is still a very small amount of people who are unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons. ATAGI has released guidelines on which instances an individual may be granted a medical exception.
The only criteria for a permanent exception are due to anaphylaxis following a previous COVID-19 vaccine dose or to any component of a vaccine.
Temporary exceptions may be approved for some “acute major medical illnesses” where the COVID vaccine can be deferred for a certain amount of time.
COVID vaccine exceptions can be administered by general practitioners, paediatricians, clinical immunologists, infectious disease, general or public health physicians, gynaecologists, or obstetricians. As vaccine mandates continue to be implemented, it’s crucial for employers, individuals, and medical providers to stay up to date with new ATAGI clinical guidance regarding the medical exemption criteria.
Click the link to read the full article:
The Conversation: Who can’t have a COVID vaccine and how do I get a medical exemption?
Save the date for our virtual Clinical Vaccinology Update (CVU)!
MVEC are pleased to announce we will be hosting a virtual Clinical Vaccinology Update (CVU) on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 November, 2021.
Program details and ticketing information will be announced shortly via our MVEC Events Page.
The Age: Pfizer and Moderna Covid vaccines now available to all Australians over 60
Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced that from Friday, 1 October Australians aged 60 and over will be able to get Pfizer and Moderna regardless of where they live, expanding vaccine choice for more than 300,000 older people who have been waiting to get vaccinated.
In addition to this, it has also been announced that Victoria will receive an extra 88,900 Moderna doses to assist in state clinics to focus on under 60s, while GP and pharmacies will focus vaccinating those 60 and over.
To read the article in full, please click on the link below:
The Age: Pfizer and Moderna Covid vaccines now available to all Australians over 60
Victorian Government COVID-19 Vaccination Enhancement Grants
The Victorian Government is offering COVID-19 Vaccination Enhancement Grants to pharmacies and general practices interested in maximising their capacity to deliver vaccines across identified geographic areas at higher risk of COVID-19.
The grants are designed to support primary care providers to utilise their full vaccine allocations and to confidently promote access in their local communities as well as fund additional workforce or operational costs associated with maximising COVID-19 vaccine administration.
To find out more information about the grants available, please click on the link below.
Victorian Government COVID-19 Vaccination Enhancement Grants
Moderna pharmacy appointments available via online booking platforms
As community pharmacies begin administering Moderna vaccines across the country, listed below are two available booking platforms that may assist with locating your nearest community pharmacy, and their availability for a vaccine appointment.
MVEC are not affiliated with the sites and the information should be used as a guide only.
You can view the booking platforms via the links below.
Find a Pharmacy
Covid19Nearme
Healthed lecture series featuring Associate Professor Nigel Crawford
MVEC’s Associate Professor Nigel Crawford delivered the COVID-19 Update as part of the recent Healthed Australia online lecture series.
In this lecture, A/Prof Nigel Crawford discussed the following:
- An update on the latest ATAGI announcements
- Moderna safety data
- The booster debate
- Back to school
To listen to the lecture in full, click on the link below:
Healthed lecture series 28 September: COVID-19 Update
New immunisation reference page: COVID-19 mandatory vaccination directions in Victoria
Due to the potential for high levels of disease transmission and an increased risk of severe disease in vulnerable groups, COVID-19 vaccination has been made mandatory for specific workplaces/industries within Victoria.
Our new reference page outlines the current COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Directions Order in place in Victoria, including an overview of the responsibilities for both employers and employees, as well as information regarding the medical exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines.
To read more follow the link below:
MVEC: COVID-19 mandatory vaccination directions in Victoria
ATAGI statement about the need for additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released a statement about the need for additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
The statement strongly recommends maximising first and second dose vaccine uptake across the community without delay in line with current prioritisation and outbreak response strategies and that two doses of any of the vaccines available in Australia have been shown to protect an individual from COVID-19 and its complications, as well as protecting the community.
ATAGI continues to closely monitor local and international data about the frequency and severity of COVID-19 in fully vaccinated individuals as well as reviewing the international data on the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of additional doses for specific high-risk patient populations, including immunocompromised individuals, and the population more generally. These data will inform future strategies regarding additional vaccine doses.
Additional doses can be defined as:
- Third doses: Additional COVID-19 doses required as part of the primary course to reach a comparable (optimal) level of protection
- Booster dose: Additional COVID-19 doses required at a broader population level, to optimise protection due to waning of immunity (loss of protection) over time, with booster doses also leading to improved immune memory.
To read the statement in full, please click the link below:
ATAGI statement about the need for additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines
Webinar recording now available: The Alfred community information session on COVID-19 vaccines
A webinar recording is now available from The Alfred’s community information session on COVID-19 vaccines which was held on Tuesday 21 September.
In this session, Allen Cheng and Associate Professor Nigel Crawford discuss in detail the COVID-19 vaccines, including the safety and efficacy in children over 12 years old, as well as answer questions from the community.
The full recording is available on The Alfred channels or the MVEC Facebook page via the links below:
The Alfred community discussion 21 September
MVEC Facebook page