Inside Aesthetics podcast featuring A/Prof Nigel Crawford
Associate Professor Nigel Crawford is interviewed by Dr Jake Sloane (cosmetic doctor and international injectables trainer) and David Segal (a multi-clinic owner and aesthetic entrepreneur) on their Inside Aesthetics podcast. In this episode, Nigel discusses the current vaccination landscape including vaccine safety, risk-benefit analysis, and COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy.
You can listen to the podcast here:
Inside Aesthetics Podcast featuring Associate Professor Nigel Crawford
Updated MVEC reference page: Myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines
We have updated our myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccines page to reflect the guidance by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ).
ATAGI and CSANZ emphasise that the overwhelming benefits of vaccination in protecting against COVID-19 greatly outweigh the rare risk of these conditions, and Comirnaty (Pfizer mRNA vaccine) continues to be recommended for all people ≥ 16 years of age who do not have any contraindications to the vaccine, in those aged 12-15 with specific medical conditions that increase their risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 12-15.
To find out more information, please refer to our dedicated MVEC myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccines page in the link below.
MVEC myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccines page
ATAGI statement on the use of a different COVID-19 vaccine as the second dose
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released clinical guidance on the use of a different COVID-19 vaccine as the second dose.
The advice recommends to use the same COVID-19 vaccine for the 2 doses of the primary vaccination course, unless there are specific medical reasons not to do so, or the same vaccine brand is not available in Australia.
The ATAGI advice explains:
• The medical contraindications and serious vaccine-attributable adverse events after
dose 1 of a COVID-19 vaccine that warrant using an alternative vaccine brand for dose 2
• The medical conditions that mean that Comirnaty is recommended over COVID-19
Vaccine AstraZeneca
• The recommendations for completing the primary vaccination course for people who
have received dose 1 with a vaccine that is not available in Australia.
To read the statement in full, please click the link below:
ATAGI statement: ATAGI clinical advice on use of a different COVID-19 vaccine as the second dose in special circumstances
For further information on COVID-19 mixed vaccine schedules refer to MVEC: COVID-19 mixed vaccine schedules.
Updated MVEC reference page: COVID-19 vaccination in children
We have updated our COVID-19 vaccination in children page to reflect the statement by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) regarding vaccination of adolescents aged 12-15 years.
The following groups of children among those aged 12–15 years are to be prioritised for vaccination using the Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine:
- Children with specified medical conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 (including severe asthma, diabetes, obesity, cardiac and circulatory congenital anomalies, neuro developmental disorders, epilepsy, immuno-compromised and trisomy 21)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 12–15 years
- All children aged 12–15 years in remote communities, as part of broader community outreach vaccination programs that provide vaccines for all ages (≥12 years).
To find out more information, please refer to our dedicated MVEC COVID-19 vaccination in children page in the link below.
MVEC COVID-19 vaccination in children page
COSSI webinar video now available - Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination webinar
A recording of the recent COSSI webinar Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination is now available. The webinar was held on 26 July and discusses the policy, behavioural, ethical and epidemiological aspects of mandating COVID-19 vaccination.
To view the recording, please click on the link below:
COSSI webinar video now available - Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination webinar
Change in timing for Pfizer second dose (in Victoria)
In order for more Victorians to receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, it is now recommended dose 2 of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty™) is administered 6 weeks after dose 1.
Individuals who currently have their second dose of Comirnaty™ booked do not need to reschedule their appointments.
This change only applies in Victoria.
For further information refer to the link below:
Department of Health: Change in timing for Pfizer second dose
ATAGI statement in response to NSW COVID-19 outbreak 24th July 2021
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released a statement to address the current risk of COVID-19 in NSW and the ongoing constraints on Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine supplies.
Due to increasing risk of COVID-19 and ongoing constraints of Comirnaty (Pfizer) supplies, ATAGI recommends all individuals aged 18 years and above in greater Sydney, including adults under 60 years of age, should strongly consider getting vaccinated with any available vaccine including COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.
ATAGI also advises that people in areas where outbreaks are occurring can receive the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine 4 to 8 weeks after the first dose, rather than the usual 12 weeks, to bring forward optimal protection. ATAGI also reinforces that the interval between the first and second doses of Comirnaty (Pfizer) is 3-6 weeks, providing flexibility in managing available supplies of vaccines, whilst also noting two doses are required for optimal protection.
In addition to being informed of the benefits and risks and give informed consent, it is advised that people who receive COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca should be aware of the symptoms of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), and when to seek prompt medical attention.
To read the statement in full, please click the link below:
ATAGI Statement: Response to NSW COVID-19 outbreak 24th July 2021
Updated MVEC reference page: Maternal vaccination during pregnancy
We have updated our maternal vaccination page to reflect the recommendation that pregnant women are routinely offered Comirnaty™, the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, at any stage of pregnancy.
Pregnant women who did not receive COVID-19 vaccines prior to conception, are prioritised to receive COVID-19 vaccines during their pregnancy as part of Phase 1b of the vaccine rollout.
To find out more information, please refer to our dedicated MVEC maternal vaccination during pregnancy page in the link below.
MVEC maternal vaccination during pregnancy page
TGA approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 12 to 15-year-olds
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine in children aged 12 to 15 years.
The Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) will now consider this approval and provide expert advice on which groups of adolescents should be prioritised for the roll out of the vaccine and how and when it should be administered.
To read the statement in full, please click on the link below:
TGA approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 12 to 15-year-olds
NPR: The Pandemic Has Worsened Childhood Vaccination Rates Around The World
In a report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, nearly 23 million children globally missed out on routine childhood vaccinations last year. Funding shortfalls, vaccine safety misinformation, regional instability, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, are all contributing factors.
The greatest impact has been on those who live in conflict-ridden areas, remote places or in slums. In addition to a lack of access to basic health care and social services, up to 17 million children likely didn't receive a single vaccine during 2020.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, reflects that while many countries are trying to access COVID-19 vaccines, other countries have gone backwards in vaccination leaving children vulnerable to preventable diseases such as polio, measles and meningitis.
For more information please click on the link below:
NPR: The Pandemic Has Worsened Childhood Vaccination Rates Around The World