ATAGI- COVID-19 vaccine guidance for patients with immunocompromise
ATAGI have published recommendations for the vaccination of immune compromised patients with COVID-19 vaccines, Comirnaty™ and COVID-19 AstraZeneca.
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all immunocompromised people due to an increased risk of developing severe disease if infected with SARS-CoV-2. Administration of COVID-19 vaccines should be planned with the treating specialist and in some instances the timing of immune suppressive therapies may be altered to maximise immune responses to vaccination. Reducing the interval between COVID-19 vaccine doses to allow for planning of treatments can also be considered.
To view these recommendations please refer to
- ATAGI – Provider guide to COVID-19 vaccination of people with immunocompromise
- ATAGI – COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for people with immunocompromise
For other information on the immunisation of immune compromised people please refer to:
MVEC: Immunosuppression and vaccines
Updated immunisation reference pages: Influenza vaccine recommendations and FAQ's
MVEC's recommendations for influenza vaccination in 2021 have been updated. Information contained in these pages includes dosing and brand advice (including information on cell-based vaccines), co-administration of influenza vaccines and other vaccines, recommendations in pregnancy and immunosuppression, as well as eligibility for funded doses.
Our FAQ's provide answers to commonly asked questions relating to influenza vaccines and their administration.
For more information please follow the links below:
TGA: AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine update- Expert review finds no evidence of increased risk of anaphylaxis
An independent panel of experts from the TGA's Advisory Committee on Vaccines (ACV) and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have reviewed the recent reports of 4 cases of anaphylaxis in Queensland in people who have received COVID-19 AstraZeneca.
Utilising the internationally-accepted Brighton Collaboration case definition, it has been concluded that only 1 of the 4 reported cases meets the criteria for anaphylaxis. Whilst the other adverse events reported are not classified as anaphylaxis, they may still represent allergic reactions or immediate stress responses and therefore close monitoring and follow up is warranted.
The findings of this review confirm that the incidence of anaphylaxis following receipt of COVID-19 AstraZeneca does not occur at a rate higher than that expected for any vaccine.
To see the full alert from the TGA please follow the link below:
WHO statement on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine safety signals
The World Health Organization (WHO) have released a statement following the recent reports of rare blood coagulation disorders in people who have received COVID-19 AstraZeneca.
In large immunisation campaigns it is expected that countries will signal adverse events to vaccination. Signals do not necessarily mean that the vaccine caused the events, but investigations into them are important. This signal detection confirms that the safety surveillance systems that are in place globally are effective and the proper processes are in place.
The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety is currently assessing all available safety data for COVID-19 AstraZeneca. Outcomes of the review will be communicated to the public as soon as they become available.
At this time, WHO recommends that vaccination with COVID-19 AstraZeneca continues as the benefits of immunisation outweigh potential risks.
To read the statement in full please follow the link below:
WHO statement on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine safety signals
The Conversation: Data suggest no increased risk of blood clots from the AstraZeneca vaccine. Australia shouldn’t pause its rollout
With some European countries opting to pause the rollout of COVID-19 AstraZeneca in response to reports of blood clots, Australian experts have cautioned against any pauses whilst investigations are underway.
Thromboembolic events occur in approximately 17,000 Australians per year. In a global vaccine rollout it is therefore expected that some people will develop a blood clot coincidentally after they have received the vaccine. This does not meant that the vaccine caused it.
Since COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccinations began, there have been 30 thromboembolic events reported (as of March 10, 2021) in approximately 5 million vaccine recipients. This is lower than the natural rate expected to occur.
All adverse events must be thoroughly investigated. The robust safety surveillance systems in Australia are established to effectively identify any signals requiring follow up. Extreme caution is urged when considering a pause in rollout while investigations are underway as this can damage vaccine confidence.
To read more, please read the article below:
The bmj: Covid-19: Booster dose will be needed in autumn to avoid winter surge, says government adviser
Anthony Harnden, Deputy Chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in the UK, has suggested that booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines are likely to be required.
With minimal data surrounding the duration of protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines and the emergence of new strain variants, the UK is considering commencing booster doses from August of this year.
To read more follow the link below:
The Guardian: Israel says 600 children given Covid jab had no serious side-effects
Following an expansion of Israel's COVID-19 vaccination program, around 600 children (≥ 12 years) have received the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Reported side-effects in this age group have been minor and the vaccine has been well tolerated.
Due to the emergence of more transmissible strains of COVID-19, experts have now suggested that in order to achieve herd immunity closer to 90% coverage will be required. In a population of 9 million people, with approximately 1/4 of those aged under 16 years, lowering the age limit for COVID-19 vaccination is an important development for Israel.
To read more follow the link below:
The Guardian: Israel says 600 children given Covid jab had no serious side-effects
TGA: AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S COVID-19 vaccine
Denmark, Iceland and Norway have temporarily paused the distribution of COVID-19 AstraZeneca as a precautionary measure in response to reports of blood clots following immunisation (including 1 death in Denmark). The European Medicines Agency's safety committee is conducting a rapid review into the events.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have advised that a link has not been confirmed and to date there have been no reports of similar events in Australia. Extensive international vaccination programs have not indicated an increased risk of blood clots associated with the vaccine.
Vaccination with COVID-19 AstraZeneca continues in other countries including the United Kingdom and France.
Please refer to the full alert below for more information:
TGA: AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S COVID-19 vaccine
ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2021
ATAGI have published recommendations for the influenza vaccine program in 2021. This advice includes vaccine brand and dose information, the timing of administration, funding eligibility criteria as well as the requirement for reporting all vaccine administration to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
To view the recommendations please follow the link below:
ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2021
TGA collecting COVID-19 vaccine side effect reports
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have published a summary of suspected adverse events reported following COVID-19 immunisation since the commencement of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. All reports to date reflect the expected side effects identified in clinical trials for Comirnaty™. Reports include cases of feeling faint, headache, dizziness or nausea. The two cases of administration error in a Brisbane aged care facility have not been associated with any adverse outcomes.
Commencing Wednesday March 3, 2021 the TGA will publish weekly updates on the number of COVID-19 vaccine adverse event reported.
For more information refer to the following link:
TGA collecting COVID-19 vaccine side effect reports