New resource: The MVEC Conversation: Vaccine Confidence
The Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre is excited to announce our latest resource The MVEC Conversation: Vaccine Confidence. This two-part series features vaccine communication experts A/Prof Margie Danchin and Dr Jessica Kaufman and is designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills required to confidently address vaccine questions in the community.
Part 1 – Using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and applying principles from social and behavioural science, our vaccine experts discuss findings from the COVID-19 Vaccine Preparedness Study. We explore people’s intention to vaccinate and delve into ways in which people can be supported to reach this decision.
Part 2 – We look at the importance of a being a Vaccine Champion and provide you with practical communication strategies to help build vaccine confidence and improve vaccine uptake.
To access this series, please login/register via the MVEC Education Portal.
The Conversation: Should I get my second AstraZeneca dose? Yes, it almost doubles your protection against Delta
With the most recent COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdowns currently going on across the country, there is pressure to speed up Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out.
It is reported that over six million Australians (30% of those eligible) have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with 3.8 million of those receiving their first dose as AstraZeneca. While the benefits of vaccination are well known, there are reports of people cancelling their appointments for dose 2 due to concerns about thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).
Current UK data suggests that the risk of developing TTS is far lower following dose 2 AstraZeneca, with a rate of approximately 1 in 1.5 million doses.
Completing a 2 dose course of COVID-19 vaccines is important in order to reach optimal levels of protection. One dose of COVID-19 AstraZeneca offers 33% protection against the Delta strain of the virus currently circulating Sydney. This protection almost doubles to 60% once the second dose has been completed.
To read more, follow the link below:
The Conversation: Should I get my second AstraZeneca dose? Yes, it almost doubles your protection against Delta
Updated immunisation reference page: Vaccine confidence
We have recently updated our Vaccine confidence immunisation reference page to include the latest information and resources available to help address people’s questions and concerns about vaccines.
Our page includes information on how to talk to people who have concerns about vaccines, how to tackle misinformation and how to be a vaccine champion in your workplace or community.
To view this page, please click on the following link:
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
The Conversation: What’s Australia’s first local Pfizer-style COVID vaccine? And when might it be in our arms? An mRNA expert explains
A research team at Monash University are working on developing Australia’s first mRNA vaccine candidate, with phase 1 trials set to begin in October or November this year.
Although the vaccine under development works by the same principles as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines by using a genetic code called RNA to spark the production of the coronavirus’s specific spike protein, there are key notable differences.
Firstly, the Monash mRNA vaccine directs cells to make a small part of the spike protein, the receptor binding domain. The receptor binding domain is the tip of the spike protein which is the part that is mutating to form new variants of COVID disease. Targeting this part of the spike protein allows variant-specific responses, for which there is a strong clinical need.
Secondly, existing vaccines are modelled on the original strain of the virus first detected in Wuhan, however, the Monash mRNA vaccine has since been changed to sequence the Beta strain – a strain which was first detected in South Africa for which vaccines created from the original variant are less effective.
This highlights the flexibility of mRNA vaccines with sequences being able to be changed and adapted to new variants that have emerged and that may emerge in the future.
Plans are underway for the vaccine to be developed locally, an important step in developing Australia’s capacity for mRNA vaccine production and the newly developing Australian RNA biotechnology sector overall.
To read more, follow the link below:
The Conversation: What’s Australia’s first local Pfizer-style COVID vaccine? And when might it be in our arms? An mRNA expert explains
Healthed Going Viral Podcast featuring A/Prof Nigel Crawford
Associate Professor Nigel Crawford is interviewed by Dr David Lim, GP and Medical Educator on Healthed Australia’s Going Viral podcast. In this podcast, Nigel discusses the clinical features of Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) and provides an approach for diagnosing and managing it.
You can listen to the podcast here:
Healthed Australia: Going Viral Podcast Episode 157: AZ Clots – Are you missing it?
PHN Webinar: Primary care identification and management of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)
The PHN will be hosting a webinar for GPs on Wednesday 30 June featuring a panel of expert speakers including MVEC’s A/Prof Nigel Crawford. The topic for the webinar is Primary care identification and management of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) and will cover:
- pathogenesis
- latest incidence rates in age groups
- incidence of different TTS clinical types
- presentation and identification
- GP management guidelines.
Further information and details on registration can be found via the link below:
RACGP: Government announces new vaccine counselling MBS item number
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced the introduction of a newly-created MBS item in response to rising vaccine hesitancy related to widespread reporting the rare condition, thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, following receipt of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine. The new Medicare item, known as the Level B equivalent, will provide patients over 50 with a $38.75 rebate when receiving COVID vaccine counselling from their GP.
The introduction of this scheme will allow more time for GPs to address patient concerns and provide support in making informed decisions seen as crucial to boosting vaccination rates.
To read more, follow the link below:
RACGP: Government announces new vaccine counselling MBS item number