The Conversation: Is your child frightened of needles? Here’s how to prepare them for their COVID vaccine
Most children are fearful of needles and approximately one in five kids (19%) aged 4-6 years old experience needle phobia.
A child’s initial interaction with needles in their primary years may be formative for their relationship with immunisations throughout their lives. As such, it’s important to cultivate a safe and positive vaccination experience.
This article discusses techniques and strategies to help prepare children for vaccination, including accessing professional help from play and child life therapists for those with needle phobia.
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Is your child frightened of needles? Here’s how to prepare them for their COVID vaccine
The Conversation: How can scientists update coronavirus vaccines for omicron? A microbiologist answers 5 questions about how Moderna and Pfizer could rapidly adjust mRNA vaccines
The new Omicron variant has raised the question of whether current COVID-19 vaccines will provide sufficient protection against infection. If the virus has changed significantly, antibodies created by the original vaccine will no longer be able to recognise and defend against the new mutated variant. Consequentially, vaccines will need to be modified by swapping out the genetic code of the original spike protein for the one found on the new variant.
This article explores the scientific process behind updating mRNA vaccines including timelines and authorization procedures.
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ABC News: What you need to consider if you’re planning to travel overseas with your unvaccinated kids
With international borders now open in New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT, experts are urging people to plan trips carefully, especially when accompanied by unvaccinated children.
Dr Daryl Cheng, Fellow at the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne shares his key recommendations for parents travelling overseas with unvaccinated kids, including weighing up the risks and benefits, and the importance of being well prepared and familiar with local health systems in their travel destinations.
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What you need to consider if you’re planning to travel overseas with your unvaccinated kids
NCIRS: Annual Immunisation Coverage Report 2020 Now available
A new Annual Immunisation Coverage Report 2020 has been released by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) which examines Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) data for children, adolescents and adults.
This is the first NCIRS annual report to present whole-of-life data from the AIR, with adolescent and adult data included for the first time.
To read the full report, please click on the link below:
NCIRS: Annual Immunisation Coverage Report 2020 Now available
Omicron variant: will the COVID-19 Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca vaccines protect you?
Scientists around the world are looking at whether protective antibodies in the current COVID-19 vaccines are “sufficiently high” to cover the new Omicron strain. Additionally, the WHO and governments are assessing the severity of the new variant.
Vaccine makers, including Pfizer and Moderna have been working on “next-generation” mRNA vaccines that would be able to target particular variants circulating. Current data suggests that the COVID-19 vaccines used in Australia will protect against severe disease.
To read the full article, please click on the link below:
Omicron variant: will the COVID-19 Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca vaccines protect you?
Moderna says new vaccine for Omicron variant may be ready in early 2022
Moderna Inc. Chief Medical Officer Paul Burton has announced that they are working rapidly to test the current vaccine against the Omicron variant and studying two booster candidates.
Current data suggests that protection against the new strain still exists, depending on the length of time passed from an individual's second vaccine dose.
To read the full article, please follow the link below:
Moderna says new vaccine for Omicron variant may be ready in early 2022
Australian Academy of Science: COVID-19 vaccines and their long-term safety
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to protect ourselves and our communities. Current data and evidence confidently support the long term safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
This article discusses the various safety processes currently in place for COVID-19 vaccines to ensure that they continue to be effective in preventing severe disease.
To read the article in full, click on the link below:
COVID-19 vaccines and their long-term safety
ABC News: Moranbah man charged for assaulting GP who refused COVID vaccine exemption
Following on from our recent CVU panel discussion on COVID-19 mandatory vaccination, no fault compensation and medical exemption, this article highlights the abuse healthcare workers are experiencing as a result of some members of the community who are feeling threatened and fearful about mandatory vaccination.
To read the article in full, please click on the link below:
ABC News: Moranbah man charged for assaulting GP who refused COVID vaccine exemption
To find out more information regarding the COVID-19 mandatory vaccination directions in Victoria, please click on the link below:
MVEC: COVID-19 mandatory vaccination directions in Victoria
CBS News: Flu outbreak hits University of Michigan as some students prepare to travel for Thanksgiving holiday: "There's vaccine fatigue"
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating approximately 530 reported cases of influenza at the University of Michigan, with 77% of them being unvaccinated against influenza. In addition to this, health officials have also reported an increase of viruses like RSV and influenza, which Michigan hasn't seen in more than a year, as well as a surge in COVID-19 cases among those who are unvaccinated.
To read the article in full, please click on the link below:
CBS: News: Flu outbreak hits University of Michigan as some students prepare to travel for Thanksgiving holiday: "There's vaccine fatigue"
New resource developed by NCIRS: Decision Aid: Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) have developed a simple resource to help individuals in making the decision on whether COVID-19 vaccination is right for them.
The resource was created by leading experts in immunisation and Public Health and has been designed in 5 simple steps to provide information on the COVID-19 virus and vaccines, weigh up the risks and benefits of vaccination, and assist in making a decision.
To access the Decision Aid, please click on the link below:
New resource developed by NCIRS: Decision Aid: Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine?