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.
RSV Awareness Week
It’s Australia’s first RSV Awareness Week from 4-10 June. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly contagious virus that causes seasonal outbreaks in infants and young children, usually during the winter months. While most will have mild symptoms and recover quickly, others develop severe disease.
Learn more about the campaign and about RSV at www.ifa.org.au/RSVandMe or by searching #RSVandMe on social media.
ATAGI advice on the preferential use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for primary vaccination of people aged 12 years or older
ATAGI has reviewed the latest evidence regarding the use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines. It is now recommended that individuals aged 12 years and over receive bivalent vaccines for primary vaccination and booster doses in preference over using the original/ancestral strain vaccines. Whilst safety and immunogenicity data for bivalent vaccines in a primary series is limited, the safety profile when used as a booster dose is similar to when original/ancestral vaccines are used.
- Individuals aged 12-17 years are recommended to receive BA.4/5-containing bivalent vaccines for primary vaccination and booster doses.
- Individuals aged 18 years and over can receive either BA.1-containing or BA.4/5-containing vaccines for primary vaccination and booster doses.
- Individuals aged 12 and over who have commenced their primary course with an original (ancestral) vaccine are recommended to complete the course with a bivalent vaccine.
- There are no bivalent vaccines currently available for use in children aged 6 months-11 years and therefore original/ancestral strain vaccines should continue to be used (noting that booster doses are not recommended for anyone under 5 years of age).
There are no changes to who is recommended to receive booster doses. Schedules and intervals between doses also remain unchanged.
Victorian Department of Health: Vaccine error management
The Victorian Department of Health has recently introduced a new immunisation resource on vaccine error management.
The resource includes easy-to-understand information about preventing vaccine errors and the most common vaccine errors, as well as directions for reporting vaccine errors to SAEFVIC (Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination In the Community).
Department of Health: Vaccine error management
ABS-CBN: Over 3 million kids vaxxed in first week of ‘Chikiting Ligtas’ - DOH
The Philippines Department of Health, with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), recently launched ‘Chikiting Ligtas 2023’, a nationwide immunisation catch-up campaign to vaccinate children against measles, rubella and polio.
More than 3 million children have been vaccinated in the campaign’s first week.
Vaccine catch-up was the theme of WHO’s World Immunization Week in April this year. The Philippines has the fifth highest number of zero dose children, children who have not received any routine vaccines, globally.
ABS-CBN: Over 3 million kids vaxxed in first week of ‘Chikiting Ligtas’ - DOH
AAP FactCheck: No evidence of link between vaccine and ovary damage
MVEC director Professor Nigel Crawford spoke to the Australian Associated Press FactCheck team, addressing claims made about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil®9.
It has been claimed that the HPV vaccine can damage the ovaries and that is has been withdrawn from use in the United States. AAP FactCheck deemed this claim false.
Prof Crawford confirmed there is no evidence to support the claim that the HPV vaccine causes damage to the ovaries. The claim stems from a longstanding myth that the vaccine is associated with premature ovarian failure (POF). "The timing of the HPV vaccine around puberty (12-13 years) has led to some of these concerns (about POF) being raised", Prof Crawford said.
Prof Crawford further confirmed there is no evidence to support claims that the HPV vaccine is linked to seizures.
AAP Factcheck: No evidence of link between vaccine and ovary damage