NCIRS: Influenza vaccination coverage data
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) continues to publish weekly updates on influenza vaccine coverage in Australia.
Data published on 5 August 2023 shows that influenza vaccine coverage remains lower than this time last year.
- 26.9% of 6-month to 5-year-olds have been vaccinated (30.8% this time in 2022)
- 15.7% of 5 to 14-year-olds have been vaccinated (22.8% this time in 2022)
- 21.8% of 15 to 49-year-olds have been vaccinated (28.3% this time in 2022)
- 36.3% of 50 to 64-year-olds have been vaccinated (46.0% this time in 2022)
- 62.8% of people older 65 years and older have been vaccinated (69.4% this time in 2022)
Influenza vaccines are funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for the following groups:
- Children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
- People aged 65 years and older
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and older
- Pregnant women
- People aged over 6 months with certain medical risk factors
More information can be found on our influenza reference page.
NCIRS: Influenza coverage data
Medical Journal of Australia: Local research examines COVID’s impact on cancer patients
This multicentre, national study examined the impact of COVID-19 disease on patients with cancer from March 2020 to April 2022.
Results indicated that patients with blood cancers tested positive for COVID-19 on PCR for a considerably longer time than those with solid organ tumours. Chemotherapy type or specific immunosuppressive therapies were not predictive of severe disease.
Reassuringly, the severity of COVID-19 disease in patients with cancer has decreased over time. This coincides with increasing rates of vaccination, hybrid immunity, robust testing mechanisms and the availability of and early use of antiviral therapies.
Even though newer strains of COVID-19 have the potential for evading protection induced by vaccination and antibody therapies, there is still good cross protection due to T-cell immunity. Therefore, a 3-dose course of primary vaccination as well as booster doses is recommended for severely immunocompromised individuals.
Medical Journal of Australia: Local research examines COVID’s impact on cancer patients
The dangers of vaccine misinformation: Robert F Kennedy Jr
Recently, you may have read about Robert F Kennedy Jr’s anti-vaccine views after he was featured on Joe Rogan’s podcast. Robert F Kennedy Jr is a long-time promoter of vaccine misinformation.
A recent report from the MSNBC news network in the United States demonstrates the real-world dangers of vaccine misinformation.
The report examines how the 2019 measles epidemic in Samoa was linked to Robert F Kennedy’s statements on the measles vaccine. Robert F Kennedy Jr's anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense bolstered a local Samoan anti-vaccine movement which had emerged in response to the 2018 deaths of two children after vaccine administration errors. The anti-vaccine movement misrepresented the vaccine itself as the cause of death, leading to a significant decrease in vaccination rates.
Not only did vaccine misinformation contribute to the devastating measles epidemic, but it also overshadowed important discussions relating to vaccine errors.
Nurse and educator Jessica Stokes-Parish has written Vaccine Concerns & SciComm: An Analysis about the scientific community’s reaction to Robert F Kennedy Jr. From a science communications lens, she analyses some common strategies that may be intended to discredit misinformation but fail to engage and educate the general public.
Department of Health and Aged Care: Vaccination for Our Mob
Based on National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) data, the Vaccination for Our Mob report has recently been published. The report focuses on vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccine coverage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 2016 to 2019.
Reminder: Victorian Government funded pertussis program has ended
As of 1 July 2023, the Victorian Government funded pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination program, for partners of pregnant women and guardians of infants, is no longer running.
Partners of pregnant women and close household contacts of newborn infants are still encouraged to be vaccinated and can access a pertussis-containing vaccine privately.
Pregnant women, between 20 and 32 weeks, remain eligible for a funded pertussis vaccine through the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
NIP change: New vaccine Vaxelis® available
From 1 July 2023, Vaxelis® has been added to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule.
Vaxelis® is a hexavalent (six-in-one) vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis and haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib). Vaxelis® is an alternative to Infanrix® hexa, for primary vaccination at 6 weeks, 4 months and 6 months. It can also be used for catch-up vaccination in children under 10 years of age. There is no preferred vaccine between the two options and both have a similar safety profile.
Vaxelis® is a single-dose 0.5 mL pre-filled syringe and, unlike Infanrix® hexa, does not require reconstitution. Vaxelis® has a whiteish, cloudy appearance.
Completing a primary course of vaccination with the same brand of hexavalent vaccine is preferred. However, where this is not possible the alternate brand may be used.
Vaxelis® can be given on the same day as other vaccines and can be administered in the same limb as other vaccines. Where more than one vaccine is administered into the same limb, a spacing of 2.5 cm should be maintained.
NIP change: Bexsero® catch-up ongoing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children under 2
From 1 July 2023, the National Immunisation Program (NIP) meningococcal B catch-up program, originally planned to cease on 30 June 2023, is ongoing.
Meningococcal is a rare but potentially life-threatening infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. People with invasive meningococcal disease can become extremely unwell very quickly.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are funded to receive the meningococcal B vaccine Bexsero® at 2, 4 and 12 months (with an additional dose at 6 months for those with medical risk factors). The catch-up program enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to receive their first dose of Bexsero® up until they turn 2 years old. (As long as the first dose is received < 2, the complete course is funded even if subsequent doses are administered once the child is 2 or older.)
NCIRS: Influenza vaccination coverage data
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) is currently publishing weekly updates on influenza vaccine coverage in Australia.
The data shows state and national coverage rates for different age groups and highlights influenza vaccine coverage in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians.
As of this week, 21.7% of all children aged 6 months to less than 5 years are vaccinated and 60.4% of people aged 65 and over are vaccinated. Each of these age groups is considered high risk and is eligible for funded influenza vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
Funded vaccines are also available for all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people 6 months and older, pregnant women and people aged over 6 months with certain medical risk factors. More information can be found on our influenza reference page.
NCIRS: Influenza coverage data
Victorian Department of Health: Government funded pertussis program for partners and guardians to cease
The Victorian government-funded pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination program for partners of pregnant women and guardians of infants under 6 months will cease on 30 June 2023.
Partners of pregnant women and close household contacts of newborn infants are still encouraged to be vaccinated and will be able to access a pertussis-containing vaccine privately.
Pregnant women, between 20 and 32 weeks, remain eligible for a funded pertussis vaccine through the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
Read more about pertussis on our reference page MVEC: Pertussis.
NIP: Vaxelis® added to schedule
From 1 July 2023, Vaxelis® will be added to the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
Vaxelis® is a hexavalent (six-in-one) vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis and haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).
Vaxelis® is registered for use from 6 weeks of age. It does not require reconstitution.
More information will be shared when it becomes available.