Talking to patients about AstraZeneca vaccine resource
The Department of Health have created a resource for health professionals to assist in talking to patients about the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
This resource details key facts about the AstraZeneca vaccine including current recommendations, effectiveness and information about the risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (TTS).
You can access the resource via the link below:
Health.gov.au: Talking to patients about AstraZeneca vaccine
Updated immunisation reference pages: TTS, G6PD and COVID-19 vaccines and allergy
We have recently updated some of our immunisation reference pages to include the latest information and recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccines. To view these pages please follow the links below:
MVEC: Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)
MVEC: G6PD deficiency and vaccines
MVEC: COVID-19 vaccines and allergy
BBC: Covid Vaccines: No, your jab isn't magnetic
Videos of people sticking magnets to where they claim they've had the Covid vaccine have racked up millions of views on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Some people say there must be something magnetic in the vaccines and others have gone further to say it’s proof of a microchip - a theory which just isn’t true.
BBC Reality Check's Jack Goodman debunks the so-called #magnetchallenge.
To read more, follow the link below:
BBC: Covid Vaccines: No, your jab isn't magnetic
New immunisation reference page: COVID-19 vaccine delivery: workforce training and application process
Due to the volume of immunisations that need to be administered with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, an expansion of the current immunisation workforce is required. Specific training and education is needed in order to ensure that the immunisation workforce is appropriately trained to allow each vaccine to be administered safely and effectively.
Our new reference page, COVID-19 vaccine delivery: workforce training and application process, details the frequently asked questions regarding training requirements for each member of the Victorian COVID-19 immunisation workforce.
To read more, follow the link below:
COVID-19 vaccine delivery: workforce training and application process
Raising Children Network - new COVID-19 vaccination: pregnancy and breastfeeding resource
MVEC have partnered with the Raising Children Network to develop a new resource focused on providing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy.
To view this article follow the link below:
COVID-19 vaccination: pregnancy and breastfeeding
Further information on vaccines for pregnant and breastfeeding women can be found via our immunisation reference pages below:
MVEC: Maternal vaccination during pregnancy
MVEC: Breastfeeding and immunisations
BBC News: Covid: Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs work against Indian variant - study
A study conducted by Public Health England (PHE) has shown that either of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine brands are highly effective against the COVID-19 Indian strain. Two weeks after the administration of dose 2, the Pfizer vaccine was found to be 88% effective at stopping symptomatic disease and the AstraZeneca vaccine was 60% effective.
The effectiveness of only 1 dose of either brand was reduced to 33%, highlighting the importance of administering both doses.
To read more, follow the link below:
BBC News: Covid: Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs work against Indian variant - study
nature: COVID vaccines and kids- five questions as trials begin
With a number of COVID-19 vaccine trials now focusing on paediatric populations across various age groups, specific factors need to be considered.
The following article explores issues such as the consent process for paediatric involvment, the robust immune responses of children, and monitoring for signs of exacerbated immune responses and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.
Whilst severe COVID-19 disease in children is rare, the immunisation of children against COVID-19 disease will play an important role in achieving herd immunity.
To read more, please read the article below:
nature: COVID vaccines and kids: five questions as trials begin
New resource: Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout
For easily accessible information relating to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the Australian Government Department of Health have created a new resource page. This page will be updated daily and describes the number of vaccine doses administered via the various providers, makes comparisons to international COVID-19 vaccine programs, and provides other sources of useful data.
To view this page please refer to the link below:
Australian Government Department of Health: Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout
A recording of the 26th April CVU mini is now available
Thank you to all who attended our recent CVU miniseries event COVID-19 vaccine: reporting and management in Victoria on 26th April 2021.
This interactive webinar looked at the latest vaccine safety questions around COVID-19 vaccines, guidelines for referring patients for evaluation prior to vaccination (VicSIS), and reporting safety events related to COVID-19 vaccines.
A recording of this event is now available via our education portal.
To access this recording please follow the link below:
VACSIG Webinar Events: Register to attend
The Vaccination Special Interest Group (VACSIG) will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday 5 May featuring a panel of expert speakers including MVEC's Professor Jim Buttery and A/Prof Nigel Crawford. The topic for the webinar is COVID-19 vaccines and rare side effects - now blood clots/bleeding, what’s next?. This event is open to both ASID members and non-members. Further information and details on registration can be found via the link below:
VACSIG Webinar Wednesday 5 May