NCIRS webinar - COVID-19 and influenza vaccination update 2023
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) is hosting their annual influenza webinar on March 16, 2023 at 12pm AEDST to discuss the updated recommendations for COVID-19 and influenza vaccination in 2023.
Leading experts in the field will present on:
- learnings from the recent Northern Hemisphere winter experience managing COVID-19 and influenza
- the latest Australian COVID-19 vaccination booster recommendations
- 2023 Australian influenza vaccination recommendations across the lifespan, including important changes for 0–5 year olds.
Healthcare providers can register for this event here.
ATAGI recommendations for COVID-19 booster doses in 2023
ATAGI have released new recommendations for the administration of COVID-19 booster doses in 2023. This advice replaces the previous booster dose recommendations.
Evidence shows that emerging Omicron subvariants have decreased the protection provided by previous doses of vaccines and/or reduced the length of protection. With winter approaching, administration of COVID-19 booster doses aims to prevent severe infections as well as hospitalisations.
ATAGI particularly recommends booster doses for:
- All adults aged 65 years and over
- Adults aged 18-64 years who have a medical condition which may increase their risk of experiencing severe symptoms if infected.
The following groups should also consider a booster dose:
- All adults aged 18-64 years
- Children and adolescents aged 5-17 years with disability or medical conditions which may increase their risk of experiencing severe symptoms if infected.
Vaccines can be administered any time from 6 months since the last dose of vaccine or 6 months since confirmed infection (whichever is later), ideally before June. All of the COVID-19 vaccines available in Australia provide protection, however bivalent mRNA vaccines are the preferred choice for booster doses in eligible groups:
- Pfizer's bivalent vaccine can be administered from 12 years of age
- Moderna's bivalent vaccine can be administered from 18 years of age
- Ages 5-11 years can receive age-appropriate doses of original vaccines.
For more information refer to ATAGI 2023 booster advice
VicSIS services have been discontinued
The Victorian Specialist Immunisation Services (VicSIS) network was established in 2021 to help support the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Victoria. It was coordinated and funded by the Victorian Department of Health (DH) with clinical support provided by SAEFVIC (the Victorian vaccine safety service).
VicSIS provided specialist vaccination services for adults and children who had experienced an adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) with a COVID-19 vaccine, or for those who were identified as at-risk of experiencing an AEFI.
From January 31, 2023 VicSIS services were discontinued. Patients who have experienced an AEFI following vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine, are encouraged to speak to their local health provider for further advice or contact SAEFVIC.
Updated Myocarditis, pericarditis and COVID-19 vaccines animation
MVEC’s Myocarditis, pericarditis and COVID-19 vaccines animation has been updated following the most recent changes to the guidance on myocarditis and pericarditis associated with COVID-19 vaccination.
This update reflects ATAGI’s recent advice which has identified that all of the COVID-19 vaccines available within Australia (including non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) carry a small increased risk of myocarditis or pericarditis occurring following vaccination.
To view the updated animation, follow the link below to our reference page:
MVEC: Myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccines
MVEC holiday period closure
On behalf of the MVEC Team, we wish you a very happy and safe holiday season with your loved ones.
Our team will be taking a break and will return in February to provide you with more vaccine education, resources and events in 2023. We'd love to hear from you if there are any specific vaccine topics you would like to see covered next year!
We also want to say a huge thank you to all our amazing collaborators who have kindly shared their expert knowledge across a number of important vaccine topics and across all of the MVEC platforms this year!
If you’re travelling this holiday season, stay safe, make sure your vaccines are up to date and pack your sunscreen and insect repellent!
ATAGI recommendations on the use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 4 years
ATAGI have now recommended the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use in some children aged 6 months – 5 years (The Moderna <5 COVID-19 vaccine has already been recommended for use in this group). Eligible groups include those with severe immunocompromise, a disability with severe or complex health needs, or those with multiple/complex health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
A primary three-dose schedule, 8 weeks apart is recommended, with the dose being 3mcg. Unlike Moderna’s primary schedule in this age group, 3 doses are recommended for all eligible children <5 years, regardless of their immune status.
There is no brand preference in this age group, however ATAGI recommend a primary schedule is completed with the same vaccine.
ATAGI does not currently recommend COVID vaccination for children aged 6 months - 5 years who are not in the categories previously mentioned, based on a range of factors.
Recommendations may change as alternative brands or variant COVID-19 vaccines become available in this age group, or if there are epidemiological changes such as new variants of concern that emerge.
To read the ATAGI statement in full, follow the link below:
ATAGI recommendations on the use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 4 years
ATAGI update on boosters following COVID-19 meeting on 11 November 2022
In light of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Australia and the emergence of Omicron subvariants XBB and BQ.1, ATAGI have provided an update on booster advice.
Whilst no new recommendations for additional doses have been provided, ATAGI have reiterated the importance of staying up to date with the current number of recommended doses. Under-vaccinated people remain at an increased risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19.
Recent figures (as of November 9, 2022) show that 5.5 million eligible people have not received a first booster dose. Further to this, there are 3.2 million people aged 50 years or older who have not received a second booster dose.
If you are due for a booster dose now you can book via the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.
To read the ATAGI update in full, refer to the link below:
ATAGI update on boosters following COVID-19 meeting on 11 November 2022
ATAGI recommendations on use of the Pfizer bivalent (Original/Omicron BA.1) COVID-19 vaccine
ATAGI have provided recommendations for the use of the Pfizer bivalent COVID vaccine following its recent provisional approval by the TGA. This means that there are now 2 bivalent COVID vaccines available for use within Australia- Moderna and Pfizer.
The Pfizer bivalent vaccine contains equal parts of mRNA from the spike protein of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Omicron BA.1 variant.
ATAGI recommends that the Pfizer bivalent vaccine may be given to anyone aged 18 years or over who is eligible for a booster dose. It is not recommended for use in a primary course of COVID vaccination.
There is no preference for either brand of bivalent or original mRNA COVID vaccines as a booster dose.
For read the ATAGI recommendations in full, head to the link below:
ATAGI recommendations on use of the Pfizer bivalent (Original/Omicron BA.1) COVID-19 vaccine
ATAGI recommendations for a booster dose of the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 years
ATAGI have recommended COVID-19 booster doses for some groups of 5-11 year olds who have previously completed a primary course of COVID-19 vaccination. Eligible groups include those with severe immunocompromise, a disability with significant or complex health needs, or those with complex/multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
Boosters in this age group can be administered 3 or more months after completing a primary course of COVID-19 vaccines. An interval of 3 months between COVID-19 infection and COVID vaccines is recommended.
There is currently not enough evidence to support booster doses for other groups of 5-11 year olds, however recommendations may change as more evidence emerges. All children in this age group are recommended to receive a primary course of COVID-19 vaccination.
To read the recommendations in full please follow the link below.
Updated immunisation reference page: Myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccines
MVEC’s myocarditis and pericarditis reference page has been updated following the recent changes to the guidance on myocarditis and pericarditis associated with COVID-19 vaccination.
This update is reflective of ATAGI’s recent advice which has identified that all of the COVID-19 vaccines available within Australia (including non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) carry a small increased risk of myocarditis or pericarditis occurring following vaccination.
To view the page in full, follow the link below:
MVEC: Myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccines