What's new on the horizon?
MVEC is often contacted with queries regarding what is new in vaccines and immunisation policy. To access a summary of vaccinology discussions from various National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups (NiTAGs) please refer to our MVEC reference page:
Horizon scanning: What's new in vaccines and international immunisation policy
It's not too late to have your flu vaccine!
This year there has been an unprecedented demand for the influenza vaccine resulting in periodic shortages. The vaccine is now back in supply across all age groups for both the Victorian state funded program (six months to less than 5 years), as well as the National Immunisation Program. Influenza immunisation is strongly recommended for anyone wishing to be protected against influenza disease and it's complications.
For further information please refer to our MVEC pages:
Influenza vaccine recommendations
Influenza vaccine recommendations- FAQs
Free Influenza vaccine in 2018 for children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
NIP July 2018- frequently asked questions
To assist healthcare providers and families with the transition to the new NIP schedule on July 1 2018, MVEC has created a reference page outlining frequently asked questions (FAQ's) adapted from our recent Clinical Vaccinology Update- A Special Edition.
For further information please refer to our following MVEC page:
NIP schedule changes July 1 2018-FAQs
National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule changes - 1 July 2018
From 1 July 2018, there will be significant changes to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule and we are keen to ensure you have access to the information you need to implement the new schedule.
Changes to the childhood immunisation schedule aim to improve protection against meningococcal, pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type b diseases.
In addition, maternal pertussis (dTpa) vaccination for pregnant women has been listed on the NIP to guarantee its ongoing access and availability.
From 1 July 2018, the NIP childhood schedule will be updated so that:
Note that at risk children and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in Queensland, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia will continue to receive 4 doses, at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months of age. |
Educational and promotional communication resources for vaccination providers and consumers to support awareness of the schedule changes are now available.
Hardcopy materials, accompanied by correspondence from the Chief Medical Officer, have been mailed to vaccination providers around the country. The resources are also available for download or order online through the Department of Health website health.gov.au/immunisation.
To assist we encourage you to:
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ASID Annual Scientific Meeting 2018
The Annual Scientific Meeting for The Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) was recently held on the Gold Coast in May 2018. AEFI-CAN & AusVaxSafety ran an Adult Immunisation Satellite Workshop entitled ‘Vaccination Is Not Just For Kids’: What Infectious Disease Physicians Need To Know. Fantastic presentations from this workshop are now available:
- Adverse Event Following Immunisation - Clinical Assessment Network (AEFI-CAN) by A/Prof. Nigel Crawford and A/ Prof. Nicholas Wood
- Vaccination in Immunosuppressed Adults by Prof. Katie Flanagan
- Influenza by Prof. Allen Cheng
- Improving Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccine Uptake by Madeline Hall
For further information on influenza please view our Influenza vaccine recommendations page.
Presentations available online
Thankyou to all those who attended our Clinical Vaccinology Update 2018- A Special Edition. The presentations are now available online via the Event page.
Free Influenza vaccine in 2018 for children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
In Victoria in 2018 the Influenza vaccine will be provided FREE for all children aged 6 months to less than 5 years of age. For further information and how to access the vaccine please head to our MVEC Free Influenza vaccine for children in 2018 reference page
Thinking about getting your child the Influenza vaccine?
With the roll out of the 2018 Influenza vaccine the following article may help provide some clarification regarding immunising children
The Conversation: thinking about getting your child the flu vaccine?
For further information regarding the Influenza vaccine please refer to our page MVEC: Influenza vaccine recommendations
Menveo® (Meningococcal A, C, W, Y) vaccine shortage
GSK has announced that there is a current shortage in the supply of Menveo® vaccine for the remainder of 2018. Refer to the TGA announcement for further information. For alternate Meningococcal immunisation options please see our MVEC: Meningococcal disease and vaccines page
Influenza 2018
MVEC has now updated it's Influenza recommendations for the 2018 season. Please follow the link for further information MVEC: Influenza vaccine recommendations