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:
A recording of the March CVU mini is now available
Thank you to all who attended our recent CVU miniseries event COVID-19 vaccines: Engagement, Communication and Safety on 9th March 2021.
Presentation topics included COVID-19 vaccine stakeholder engagement and participation, vaccine communication and hesitancy, and an update on the Victorian Specialist Immunisation Service (VicSIS) and international vaccine safety.
A free recording of this event is now available via our education portal.
To access this recording please 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
Save the date for our April CVU mini event: Monday 12 April 2021
MVEC invites you to Save the Date for our next CVU mini!
Date: Monday 12 April, 2021
Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm AEST
Further details and registration information will be available soon on our Events page and Education Portal.
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Additional module added to Victorian COVID-19 eLearning Competency
An additional module titled Preparing Comirnaty™ (Pfizer BNT162b2) COVID-19 Vaccine has been added to the Victorian COVID-19 eLearning Competency.
Please note the advice contained in this module is specific to the COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine BNT162b2 (Comirnaty™).
If you have already completed the Victorian COVID-19 eLearning Competency you can login and access this additional module via your profile in the MVEC Education Portal.
Swollen Lymph Nodes Under Armpit After COVID-19 Vaccine May Mimic Breast Cancer Symptoms
The Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) in the United States is recommending women wait at least four weeks after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine to schedule a mammogram due to the potential side-effect of swollen or tender lymph nodes in the armpit. Changes in the lymph nodes can be a sign of breast cancer and the concerns are this could lead to false readings on mammograms leading to further unnecessary testing.
This advice was issued based on the rates of swelling and tenderness in the lymph nodes post the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the United States. Whilst rare in people who have received the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine (which is currently provisionally registered for use in Australia), the SBI notes the incidence rates are most likely higher than reported and accordingly issued the aforementioned advice to separate mammograms from COVID-19 vaccines by four to six weeks.
Read more via the link below:
Incidents after vaccination with AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine
Following reports of 2 temporally associated severe adverse events following immunisation (AEFI), the Austrian Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (the national regulatory body for medicines) have halted the supply and distribution of a specific batch of COVID-19 AstraZeneca.
It is important to note that data from clinical trials shows no evidence of a casual relationship and this halt is being utilised as a precautionary measure only. An immediate review of international reports of similar AEFI show no signals for concern. Vaccine rollout using alternate batches of COVID-19 AstraZeneca continues and further investigations are ongoing.
To read the official announcement follow the link below:
Learning from Errors with the New COVID-19 Vaccines
In December 2020 COVID-19 vaccination commenced across the US. This article published by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, discusses various reports of administration and preparation errors that have occurred since the rollout began.
Given the scope of the global COVID-19 vaccination campaign, it is expected that there will be mistakes made. As Australia begins its national rollout, a key learning is ensuring that all COVID-19 vaccine errors and adverse reactions are reported to the relevant authorities to help prevent these types of errors occurring here.
To read more follow the link below:
ISMP: Learning from Errors with the New COVID-19 Vaccines