New immunisation reference page: Mandatory vaccine directions in Victoria
A vaccine mandate means that proof of vaccination, or an authorised medical exemption, is required in certain settings. In our new reference page, we provide information on the vaccine mandates affecting Victorians, including COVID-19 and influenza directions and “No jab, no play” and “No jab, no pay” legislations. Also included is information on the responsibility of the employee/service provider/individual and medical exemptions.
For further information, click on the link below:
MVEC: Mandatory vaccine direction in Victoria
ATAGI recommendations on first booster dose in adolescents aged 12-15 years
ATAGI has provided updated advice regarding COVID-19 booster doses for those aged 12-15 years.
A single booster dose of Comirnaty (Pfizer) is now recommended for the following select groups:
- those who are severely immunocompromised
- those who have a disability with significant or complex health needs
- those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19.
Booster doses can be administered ≥ 3 months after the completion of the primary course, or ≥ 3 months after COVID-19 infection (whichever is later).
There is currently insufficient evidence to support expanding this booster dose recommendation to other groups of adolescents aged 12-15 years, however this advice may change in the future as more evidence emerges.
To read the advice in full please follow the link below.
ATAGI recommendations on first booster dose in adolescents aged 12-15 years
Expanded ATAGI recommendations on winter COVID-19 booster doses for people at increased risk of severe COVID-19
ATAGI have updated their COVID-19 winter booster dose recommendations to include additional risk groups. The groups now eligible for winter booster doses include:
- Any adult aged 65 years and older
- Aged care or disability care residents aged 16 years and older
- Individuals aged 16 years and older with severe immunocompromise
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 50 years and older.
- Individuals from 16 years of age who have complex, chronic or severe conditions [refer to page 3 of ATAGI statement below]
COVID-19 winter booster doses are not currently recommended for other groups including healthy people aged 16 to 64 years, healthy individuals with occupational risk factors (eg. healthcare workers) or pregnant women without additional risk factors.
mRNA vaccines are the preferred option for booster doses with Comirnaty (Pfizer) available to give from 16 years of age and Spikevax (Moderna) from 18 years. In people aged 18 years or older with a contraindication to mRNA vaccines Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) may be considered. Nuvaxovid (Novavax) can be used in individuals 18 years or older in circumstances where no other COVID-19 vaccine is suitable.
To read the updated recommendations in full, please click on the link below:
Expanded ATAGI recommendations on winter COVID-19 booster doses for people at increased risk of severe COVID-19
ABC: A surge in influenza cases in Queensland prompts doctors to issue vaccine warning for children and vulnerable groups
Experts warn that children are increasingly more vulnerable to influenza disease this year. MVEC’s paediatric infectious disease specialist Dr Angela Berkhout explains that children, particularly those under two years of age have low levels of natural immunity to flu as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
While flu season has yet to peak, hospitals in Queensland have already experienced an influx in the number of flu patients requiring hospital admission, including intensive care. This article explores key considerations for vaccinating children, seniors over the age of 65 years and other vulnerable groups.
To read the full article, follow the link below:
For the more information on influenza vaccines and the 2022 influenza season please see our resources below:
ATAGI Advice on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose intervals and COVID-19 vaccination post infection
ATAGI have provided updated advice on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose intervals and COVID-19 vaccination post infection.
It is now recommended that the dose interval between primary doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines should be extended to 8 weeks, with the extended dose interval shown to improve effectiveness and immune response to vaccination, as well as potentially also reduce the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis.
ATAGI have also recommended that COVID-19 vaccination is deferred 3 months following COVID-19 infection to optimise protection.
To read the updated recommendations in full, please click on the link below.
ATAGI Advice on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose intervals and COVID-19 vaccination post infection
SMH: The flu shot: when is it safe to get it after having COVID?
With flu season underway in Australia and an increasing number of cases already confirmed, people are encouraged not to delay their yearly influenza vaccine, which is recommended for anyone 6 months of age and over.
The article features MVEC’s A/Prof Nigel Crawford, who addresses the key considerations such as ideal timing for the influenza vaccination, considerations for people with underlying medical conditions, advice for parents regarding children, and when to get the influenza vaccine post COVID-19 infection.
To read the article in full, please click on the link below:
SMH: The flu shot: when is it safe to get it after having COVID?
For the more information on influenza vaccines and the 2022 influenza season please see our resources below:
A recording of the 28th April CVU mini is now available
Thank you to all who attended our recent CVU miniseries event Winter preparedness: COVID-19 and influenza on Thursday 28th April 2022.
This interactive webinar covered the following updates:
- COVID-19 vaccines: keeping up-to-date
- Winter COVID-19 booster dose and flu administration for the elderly
- Influenza: a post COVID-19 landscape
A recording of this event is now available via our education portal.
To access this recording please follow the link below:
CDC: Hospitalizations of Children Aged 5–11 Years with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19
A recent CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) analysed COVID-19 associated hospitalisation rates in children aged 5–11 years during the Omicron-predominant period and the Delta-predominant period.
Hospitalisation rates in unvaccinated children were approximately double those of vaccinated children. Severe disease was more likely to occur in children with a history of diabetes and obesity, with one-third of hospitalised children during the Omicron period having had an underlying neurological condition. Racial and ethnic minority groups were disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Further, the analysis suggests that vaccination of children aged 5-11 years reduces the risk for infection, protects against COVID-19–associated illness and prevents multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.
To read the full report, click on the link below.
CDC: Hospitalizations of Children Aged 5–11 Years with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19
The Conversation: COVID-19 vaccines for the youngest children may be inching closer to authorization – a pediatrician explains how they’re being tested
COVID-19 vaccines offer safe and effective protection against severe disease and are strongly recommended for everyone over the age of 5 years. While children often experience milder symptoms of disease than adults, US data obtained during the Omicron surge in cases shows a significant spike in the rates of hospitalisation in children under 5.
This article explores the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in children of different age groups, the safety and efficacy considerations for vaccinating children under 5, and an approximate timeline for next steps regarding this cohort.
To read the article in full, please click on the link below.
Science: Pandemic propels global effort to study rare vaccine side effects
The Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN) is the largest ever vaccine safety project involving more than 20 countries and data from more than 250 million people vaccinated against COVID-19.
It aims to investigate and understand rare vaccine side effects such as myocarditis, thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome and Guillain-Barre Syndrome following COVID-19 vaccination which may lead to the prediction, treatment and prevention of side effects.
The following article discusses the importance of globalising vaccine safety research through international collaboration to improve vaccine safety.
To read more, please click on the link below.
Science: Pandemic propels global effort to study rare vaccine side effects