ABC News: Another 1 million Moderna COVID-19 vaccines doses coming to Australia after EU deal
1 million doses of the Moderna vaccine which have been secured from European nations are to be sent directly to community pharmacies across the country this week. The announcement is in line with advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).
On announcing the latest deal, the government has confirmed that there was now enough vaccine for everyone still waiting for a jab to be offered one in October. In addition to this, from the week of September 20, approximately 1,800 community pharmacies across the country will receive Moderna doses, with an additional 1,800 to receive Moderna doses after that.
To read the article in full, click on the link below.
ABC News: Another 1 million Moderna COVID-19 vaccines doses coming to Australia after EU deal
The Age: ‘Jabba the Bus’ to take regional vaccination drive onto the road
Jabba the bus brings about exciting news for COVID-19 vaccination in regional Victoria. The mobile vaccine hub will deliver essential AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines to isolated residents of regional Victoria. The focus will be on the City of Greater Shepparton as well as Moira, Benalla, Strathbogie, Mitchell, Mansfield Murrindindi and Campaspe.
A high sense of urgency perpetuated the need for the mobile vaccination hub following a large COVID-19 outbreak in Shepparton which forced more than 20 000 people into isolation, including more than 500 staff from Goulburn Valley Health. Goulburn Valley Health Chief executive Matt Sharp indicated that currently, only 45 per cent of people had received even their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while an increasingly more alarming rate of just 26 per cent received their second dose.
The mobile vaccination station, which is the first service of its’ kind in the state represents a promising opportunity to increase vaccine uptake amongst groups of people who otherwise may not have access to the vaccine and includes easy accessibility for people with disabilities.
Full article:
The Age: The Age: ‘Jabba the Bus’ to take regional vaccination drive onto the road
New immunisation reference page: Neutropenia: Vaccine recommendations for children with chronic neutropenia
Children with neutropenia are at increased risk of bacterial and fungal infections and therefore preventing infections in this group is a priority in order to protect these children against vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs). However, this patient group is not addressed in The Australian Immunisation Handbook.
Our new reference page, Neutropenia: vaccine recommendations for children with chronic neutropenia discusses the recommendations for this group based on international guidelines and local consensus.
To read more follow the link below:
MVEC: New immunisation reference page: Neutropenia: Vaccine recommendations for children with chronic neutropenia
TGA Provisional Approval of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to include 12-17 years age group
On September 4 2021, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) granted provisional approval to Moderna Australia Pty Ltd for its COVID-19 vaccine—Spikevax (elasomeran) to include the 12-17 years age group. This decision follows the provisional approval granted by the TGA to Spikevax on 9 August 2021 for use in individuals aged 18 years and older.
To find out more information, please refer to our dedicated MVEC Moderna COVID-19 vaccination page in the link below:
MVEC Moderna COVID-19 vaccination page
New immunisation reference page: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
Immune thrombocytopenia, also previously known as idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), is an uncommon autoimmune condition in which the body’s own immune system attacks platelets (the cells found in the blood which normally help the blood to clot).
Our new reference page discusses the background of ITP, including presentation of the condition and the association between ITP and MMR vaccines. Our page also answers questions around ITP and COVID-19 vaccines, including whether or not COVID-19 vaccines should be administered to people with a history of ITP.
To read more follow the link below:
MVEC: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
A recording of the 30th August CVU mini is now available
Thank you to all who attended our recent CVU miniseries event Matters of the heart: Myocarditis and pericarditis associated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccination on 30th August 2021.
This interactive webinar took an in-depth look at an important vaccine safety signal associated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna).
A recording of this event is now available via our education portal.
To access this recording please follow the link below:
The Age: ‘The moment you walk in through those doors your healing starts’: Victoria leading the race on Indigenous vaccination
Data released by the federal government has highlighted the widening gap between fully vaccinated Indigenous Australians and the overall population, and the direct impact COVID-19 will have on First Nations people if Australia eases restrictions once 70 or 80 per cent of adults are vaccinated.
Historically, Australia’s Aboriginal community has been heavily impacted by the effects of widespread viral infections such as measles, smallpox and the Spanish Flu and this article highlights the impact low COVID-19 vaccination rates could have on our First Nations people.
Despite the slow rollout, Victoria is leading the way in terms of vaccination rates amongst the Indigenous population with 43% of people fully vaccinated against COVID-19, more than double that of the non-Indigenous population in Victoria at 26%.
According to Jeroen Weimar, the COVID-19 response commander in Victoria, the states’ success with facilitating a competent roll out initiative amongst the Indigenous communities can be attributed to joint efforts and strong partnerships.
To read the article in full, please click on the link below.
The Age: ‘The moment you walk in through those doors your healing starts’: Victoria leading the race on Indigenous vaccination
ABC News US: FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine not OK for off-label use in kids, official says
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued advice following full approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 16 an older that it should not be given to young children as off-label use.
Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine was authorised for use in children ages 12 to 15 in May by the FDA, meeting all the criteria to amend the EUA and with 100% effectiveness in children ages 12-15. Additionally, the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are both available in the U.S. for anyone 18 years and older, with Moderna still awaiting a decision for approval on emergency use authorisation with the FDA.
Pfizer vaccine safety data on 5–11-year-olds is due to be submitted by the end of September, with Moderna due to report in the middle of fall. Clinical trials are still ongoing, however, it is expected that the first vaccine shots for children ages 5-11 could happen by the end of 2021, or early 2022. In order to detect the rarest of side-effects before the roll out begins across the U.S., the FDA have advised that the trials will need to expand the pool of volunteers.
To read the article in full, please click on the link below
ABC News US: FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine not OK for off-label use in kids, official says
MVEC animation: Myocarditis, pericarditis and COVID-19 vaccines
MVEC have created a new animation to help explain myocarditis and pericarditis which have been reported in a small number of individuals who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines Comirnaty™ and Moderna.
To view the animation and to find out more information, please refer to our myocarditis, pericarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines immunisation reference page:
MVEC animation: Myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines
Federal Government Announces No Fault COVID-19 Indemnity Scheme
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced the details of the no fault COVID-19 Vaccine Claim Scheme following extensive consultation with the peak medical, healthcare, business and insurance sectors to ensure a comprehensive National Scheme.
The purpose of the Scheme will be to provide Australians with quick access to compensation for COVID-19 claims related to the administration of a Therapeutic Goods Administration approved COVID-19 vaccine delivered through a Commonwealth Government approved program.
From 6 September Australians who suffer injury and loss of income due to their COVID-19 vaccine will be able to register their intent to claim from the COVID-19 vaccine claims scheme webpage.
To read more, follow the link below:
Federal Government Announcement: No Fault COVID-19 Indemnity Scheme