BBC: Coronavirus - Scientists using TikTok to teach about vaccine
Scientists will use social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Twitter to communicate information about COVID-19 vaccines in development. They will share science in a simple way as well as answer questions in an effort to reclaim the trust of the public which has been undermined by the rampant spread of misinformation.
This is part of new campaign, Team Halo, which has the backing of the United Nations’ Verified Initiative, the Vaccine Confidence Project and GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance.
To read more follow the link below:
Coronavirus: Scientists using TikTok to teach about vaccine
The bmj: Midwives and paramedics can deliver flu and covid vaccines after new laws come into force
New laws, introduced by the UK government, will now see midwives and paramedics able to administer influenza and COVID-19 vaccines (once available). Expanding the workforce responsible for administering vaccines will improve the public's access to vaccination. These healthcare workers will undergo additional training to ensure patient safety is maintained.
Currently doctors, accredited nurse immunisers, nurse practitioners and pharmacist immunisers can administer vaccines in Victoria.
To read more follow the link below:
The bmj: Midwives and paramedics can deliver flu and covid vaccines after new laws come into force
Pulse: Flu and Covid-19 vaccines will need to be given separately, says deputy CMO
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, and medical adviser on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has revealed that he is cautiously optimistic that some COVID-19 vaccines will be available before Christmas. He has also warned that it is unlikely that any COVID-19 vaccine could be co-administered with influenza vaccines due to a lack of safety data.
Read the article in full below:
Pulse: Flu and Covid-19 vaccines will need to be given separately, says deputy CMO
COVID19 Road to a vaccine episode 16: COVID-19 vaccine candidates regulatory process update with Professor Norman Baylor
In episode 16 of our COVID19 Road to a vaccine series, our host, Associate Professor Nigel Crawford speaks once again with Professor Norman Baylor. Professor Baylor is the former Director of the Office of Vaccines Research and Review Center at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is the President and CEO of Biologics Consulting and current advisor to the WHO.
In this episode they discuss:
- The recent FDA Vaccines and related biological products advisory committee meeting which was, as is customary, open to the public
- The huge amount countries like Australia can learn from the transparency of these open forums
- What vaccine efficacy thresholds are and what they have been set at for COVID-19 vaccine candidates in the USA
- Including children and special risk groups such as pregnant women in clinical trials
- Potential for confusion when more than one COVID-19 vaccine becomes available with varying levels of efficacy
- The ongoing collection of data to monitor vaccine safety and effectiveness
- Pauses or clinical holds being a normal part of clinical trials
- The importance of communication from regulatory bodies as COVID-19 vaccines become available
Links:
- Biologics Consulting
- FDA: Expanded access
- FDA: Emergency Use Authorisation
- FDA: Vaccines and related biological products advisory committee October 22 2020
- MVEC: COVID19 Road to a vaccine episode 7: The importance of regulatory bodies in the development of vaccines with Professor Norman Baylor
- The Conversation: Halting the Oxford vaccine trial doesn’t mean it’s not safe, it shows they’re following the right process
Download the episode at:
COVID-19 vaccines: time to talk about the uncertainties
In the following article, Kanta Subbarao, director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne, discusses the unknowns that lie ahead as we plan for the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine. Community engagement and transparency will be key to a successful vaccination campaign. Professor Subbarao touches on public involvement and the idea of "citizen juries" to participate in discussions on the risks and benefits of COVID-19 vaccines and who should receive the vaccine first.
To read the article in full please follow the link below:
Nature: COVID-19 vaccines: time to talk about the uncertainties
Professor Subbarao was recently a guest on our COVID19: Road to a vaccine podcast series. To listen to her episode please refer to the following link:
Advance purchase agreements: what does that mean?
The Australian Government has made a number of advance purchase agreements in order to ensure that Australians have access to COVID-19 vaccines once they are proven to be safe and effective.
The following document from the European Commission, outlines what an advance purchase agreement entails and the negotiation process behind it:
Questions and Answers: Coronavirus and the EU Vaccines Strategy
December CVU tickets are now available for purchase
Tickets are now available for our first virtual Clinical Vaccinology Update (CVU). This will be an all-day event held on December 7 2020.
We are excited to welcome both local and international presenters covering a wide range of immunisation topics.
To view a draft program of the day's events, and for ticketing information, please follow the link below:
Clinical Vaccinology Update: December 7 2020
Who pays compensation if a COVID-19 vaccine has rare side-effects? Here's the little we know about Australia's new deal
In the recent federal budget, the Australian Government revealed it would provide indemnity against liability for both the AstraZeneca Oxford and the University of Queensland COVID-19 vaccine candidates. Should either vaccine be approved, and if rare side-effects occur, the government will be responsible for providing compensation. Vaccine compensation schemes currently exist in many countries however, at present Australia is not one of them.
The following article, published in The Conversation, outlines what is known about the proposed indemnity deal and what it means for Australians.
To read the article in full follow the link below:
New immunisation reference page: The Royal Children's Hospital COVID-19 follow-up clinic
Our new reference page provides details on the COVID-19 follow-up clinic at The Royal Children's Hospital, which aims to provide support, acute care and long-term follow-up to COVID-19 positive children and their families. For further information, including how to refer children to the service, please follow the link below:
MVEC: The Royal Children's Hospital COVID-19 follow-up clinic
The New York Times: She hunts viral rumors about real viruses
In the following article by the New York Times, Anthropologist and Director of the Vaccine Confidence Project, Professor Heidi Larson, suggests that vaccine hesitancy is not a byproduct of misinformation, but represents a problem with trust. Heidi's research focuses on what factors undermine vaccine acceptance and immunisation uptake across the globe. She suggests that in order to build trust, health care providers need to focus communication strategies on answering the questions being asked and not just providing scientific information and public health recommendations.
Read the article in full below:
The New York Times: She hunts viral rumors about real viruses
Heidi was recently a special guest on our COVID-19 Road to a vaccine podcast series. To listen to Heidi's episode follow the below link to our podcast page: