New immunisation reference page: Mandatory vaccine directions in Victoria
A vaccine mandate means that proof of vaccination, or an authorised medical exemption, is required in certain settings. In our new reference page, we provide information on the vaccine mandates affecting Victorians, including COVID-19 and influenza directions and “No jab, no play” and “No jab, no pay” legislations. Also included is information on the responsibility of the employee/service provider/individual and medical exemptions.
For further information, click on the link below:
MVEC: Mandatory vaccine direction in Victoria
ATAGI Statement on the Omicron variant and the timing of COVID-19 booster vaccination
In response to the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 disease and it's community transmission within Australia, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has updated recommendations for the timing of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses.
These updated recommendations are based on strong evidence indicating that booster doses are likely to increase protection against infection with the Omicron variant, as well as reassuring international data on the safety of administering early booster doses.
These recommendations include:
- all adults (≥ 18 years) should receive a single booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine
- booster doses can be administered as early as 3 months following the completion of a primary course
- timely booster doses for pregnant women is recommended
- immunocompromised individuals who have received a 3-dose primary course should also receive a booster dose 3 months after the date of their 3rd dose
- Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna) are the preferred brands for booster doses. Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) can be used as a booster dose for individuals with a contraindication to receiving Comirnaty or Spikevax.
ATAGI also encourages anyone aged 12 years or older who is unvaccinated to receive COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible.
To read the latest update in full please refer to
ATAGI Statement on the Omicron variant and the timing of COVID-19 booster vaccination
SAEFVIC Rapid report: a new reporting pathway for COVID-19 vaccine AEFI
Reporting adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) is not mandatory in Victoria, however doing so allows the rapid investigation of any potential vaccine or system problems. This helps to ensure a safe and effective immunisation program and it maintains community confidence in vaccines.
The new SAEFVIC Rapid reporting pathway has been launched for reporting any common or expected side effects following a COVID-19 vaccine. Reporting via this pathway will not result in follow up of clinical symptoms however it will contribute to data collection and assist health authorities to understand the frequency of symptoms occurring. Should the vaccinee experience significant side effects, completing the SAEFVIC Extended report is recommended.
For more information on SAEFVIC, symptoms that should be reported, and instructions on how to report, please visit our immunisation reference page below:
MVEC: Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination in the Community (SAEFVIC)
The Conversation: Let’s hold off vaccinating children and teens against COVID-19. Prioritising adults is our best shot for now
Some countries who have successfully vaccinated a high proportion of their adult population are now shifting the focus of their COVID-19 vaccine rollout towards children and adolescents.
The following article reviews various international vaccine strategies for the younger population, and explores COVID-19 vaccine safety, including expected vaccine side effects and reports of myocarditis and pericarditis in adolescents. It looks at the potential impact that vaccination of children could have on transmission, herd immunity and keeping schools open.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises that globally the vaccine rollout has been slow and inequitable. Low income countries have insufficient vaccine supplies to protect high-priority groups.
In Australia where rates of COVID-19 community transmission is low, it is important that efforts remain on maximising vaccine coverage for adults and those who are at highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
To read more, follow the link below:
Australia's COVID-19 vaccine coverage update- July 5 2021
The Australian Government Department of Health continue to publish information relating to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout; including data on population coverage.
Latest figures show that 71.64% of Victorians aged 70 years and over have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, with 16% having completed both recommended doses.
To view these statistics and read other information relating to vaccine distribution and uptake, please refer to:
Australian Government Department of Health: Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout
New immunisation reference page: Myocarditis and pericarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccines
Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle, whilst pericarditis is an inflammatory disease of the lining of the heart muscle. They are rare conditions, most commonly associated with viral infections (including SARS-CoV-2) but can also be triggered by other factors such as medications and autoimmune conditions. Globally, an increased number of cases above an expected population rate of myocarditis and pericarditis have been reported in individuals who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (eg. Comirnaty™ and Moderna).
Our new reference page discusses the temporal association of myocarditis and pericarditis with mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, symptoms, investigations, as well as the implications on future COVID-19 vaccination.
To read more follow the link below:
MVEC: Myocarditis and pericarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccines
New immunisation reference page: Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
Following the announcement by the Australian Government that 25 million doses (as well as additional variant specific versions) of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, Elasomeran, had been secured for the Australian population, this vaccine was last week granted provisional determination by the TGA.
Our new reference page explores the various clinical trials involving Elasomeran, as well as details the immunogenicity, efficacy and safety data available for this vaccine.
To read more follow the link below:
MVEC: Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
TGA grants provisional determination for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Elasomeran
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted provisional determination to Moderna Australia Pty Ltd for their COVID-19 vaccine candidate, Elasomeran. It is being considered for use in those aged 12 years or older for active immunisation to prevent COVID-19 disease. It is an mRNA vaccine requiring two doses, given 28 days apart.
Granting provisional determination means that Moderna Australia Pty Ltd is now eligible to apply for provisional registration. Following the provisional pathway provides a formal and transparent mechanism for speeding up the registration of promising new medicines with preliminary clinical data.
Provisional determination is only granted once the TGA has considered all eligibility criteria, including evidence of a plan to submit comprehensive clinical data.
You can read the press release from the TGA below:
TGA grants provisional determination for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Elasomeran
For more information on the process of COVID-19 vaccine provisional approval please refer to our reference page:
MVEC: Provisional registration of COVID-19 vaccine(s) in Australia
ATAGI statement on revised recommendations on the use of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca, 17 June 2021
ATAGI has revised the recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination within Australia.
Due to a higher risk and severity of thrombosis with thrombycytopenia syndrome (TTS) related to the use of COVID-19 AstraZeneca, Comirnaty™ is now the preferred COVID-19 vaccine for individuals aged 16-59 years. Due to the risk of severe outcomes related to COVID-19 disease for individuals aged 60 years and over, the benefits of vaccination in preventing disease outweighs the risk of developing TTS.
Individuals aged less than 60 years who have received their first dose of COVID-19 AstraZeneca without any serious adverse events (eg. anaphylaxis or TTS) should continue to receive their second dose.
For more information please refer to the link below:
ATAGI statement on revised recommendations on the use of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca, 17 June 2021
New immunisation reference page: COVID-19 mixed vaccine schedules
With the emergence of variant COVID-19 strains, global vaccine supply issues, and the need to rapidly immunise the population, a number of clinical trials are investigating the option of “mixed schedules”. Mixed schedules have been used previously in other vaccination strategies and involve the administration of different vaccine brands to complete a vaccine course.
Our new reference page explores the clinical trials underway which aim to determine the safety of mixed scheduling, the immunogenicity, as well as the recommendations for intervals between doses.
Due to a lack of available data, mixed vaccine schedules are not currently approved in Australia however are in use in Canada and across Europe.
To read more, follow the link below:
MVEC: COVID-19 mixed vaccine schedules
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