TGA approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 12 to 15-year-olds
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine in children aged 12 to 15 years.
The Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) will now consider this approval and provide expert advice on which groups of adolescents should be prioritised for the roll out of the vaccine and how and when it should be administered.
To read the statement in full, please click on the link below:
TGA approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 12 to 15-year-olds
NPR: The Pandemic Has Worsened Childhood Vaccination Rates Around The World
In a report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, nearly 23 million children globally missed out on routine childhood vaccinations last year. Funding shortfalls, vaccine safety misinformation, regional instability, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, are all contributing factors.
The greatest impact has been on those who live in conflict-ridden areas, remote places or in slums. In addition to a lack of access to basic health care and social services, up to 17 million children likely didn't receive a single vaccine during 2020.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, reflects that while many countries are trying to access COVID-19 vaccines, other countries have gone backwards in vaccination leaving children vulnerable to preventable diseases such as polio, measles and meningitis.
For more information please click on the link below:
NPR: The Pandemic Has Worsened Childhood Vaccination Rates Around The World
Latest Commonwealth guidance: COVID-19 vaccine – Clinical considerations
The Commonwealth have released their latest resource: COVID-19 vaccine – Clinical considerations. This guidance includes the latest clinical advice on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout including advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).
Included in the guidance are resources for topics such as; Leakage of diluent when reconstituting Pfizer vaccine vial, heparin treatment and COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca, pregnant women, and information for people who have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine not yet available in Australia.
For more information please refer to the link below:
COVID-19 vaccine – Clinical considerations
Updated advice regarding capillary leak syndrome
An extremely rare relapsing-remitting condition known as capillary leak syndrome has been reported overseas following vaccination with COVID-19 AstraZeneca. The syndrome results in fluid leaking from capillaries (small blood vessels) into surrounding tissue and can lead to severe organ damage or death if left untreated.
In two of the reported cases there was a previous history of capillary leak syndrome. As triggers for relapse are not well understood, the manufacturer of COVID-19 AstraZeneca has updated the product information advising it is not recommended that the vaccine be administered to people with a history of capillary leak syndrome. Individuals with a history of capillary leak syndrome should be referred to their closest VicSIS clinic for further assessment.
For further information refer to the following link:
TGA: COVID-19 weekly safety report
Healthed Webcast: Covid Update
Healthed will be hosting a webinar for healthcare professionals on Tuesday 20 July featuring a panel of expert speakers including MVEC’s A/Prof Nigel Crawford. This Covid update will cover the following topics:
- AZ confusion
- Delta crisis
- Myocarditis
- Boosters
- Pregnancy
- Variants
Further information and details on registration can be found via the link below:
Healthed Webcast: Covid Update
Primary care approach to thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome after COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine
The Australian Government Department of Health have published a new resource for healthcare providers in primary care to identify and manage thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after COVID-19 AstraZeneca.
To read the document in full, please refer to the following link:
ATAGI statement on use of COVID-19 vaccines in an outbreak setting
ATAGI have reviewed their COVID-19 vaccine advice and provided updated recommendations for significant COVID-19 outbreaks involving the Delta strain.
- ATAGI reinforces the recommendation for immunisation of those aged ≥ 60 years with COVID-19 AstraZeneca, with the benefits of vaccination strongly outweighing the risks.
- Vaccination of priority groups (eg. healthcare workers, disability and aged care workers, older people and those with medical risk factors) should be supported.
- Where supply of Comirnaty™ is constrained, adults under 60 years of age should reassess the benefits to them and their contacts from being vaccinated with COVID-19 AstraZeneca, versus the very rare risk of side effects.
- Additional unallocated supplies of any COVID-19 vaccine should be prioritised to populations in the areas of greatest risk of COVID-19 disease.
- In outbreak situations, the preferred interval between doses of COVID-19 AstraZeneca is 4-8 weeks. The recommended interval betweeen doses in a non-outbreak setting remains 12 weeks.
- Recommendations around the use of Comirnaty™ in an outbreak setting remain unchanged.
To read the statement in full, please click on the link below:
ATAGI statement on use of COVID-19 vaccines in an outbreak setting
ATAGI: Statement on the clinical use of zoster vaccines in older adults in Australia
There are 2 vaccines available for use within Australia to prevent the development of herpes zoster (shingles).
Zostavax is a live-attenuated vaccine and is funded on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for immunocompetent adults aged 70 years and over.
Shingrix is a non-live vaccine. It is the preferred vaccine for those aged over 50 years due to a higher efficacy. It is currently only available for private purchase and availability is limited.
ATAGI have released a statement informing the use both vaccines. To read the statement in full please follow the link below:
ATAGI: Statement on the clinical use of zoster vaccines in older adults in Australia
The Conversation: Let’s hold off vaccinating children and teens against COVID-19. Prioritising adults is our best shot for now
Some countries who have successfully vaccinated a high proportion of their adult population are now shifting the focus of their COVID-19 vaccine rollout towards children and adolescents.
The following article reviews various international vaccine strategies for the younger population, and explores COVID-19 vaccine safety, including expected vaccine side effects and reports of myocarditis and pericarditis in adolescents. It looks at the potential impact that vaccination of children could have on transmission, herd immunity and keeping schools open.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises that globally the vaccine rollout has been slow and inequitable. Low income countries have insufficient vaccine supplies to protect high-priority groups.
In Australia where rates of COVID-19 community transmission is low, it is important that efforts remain on maximising vaccine coverage for adults and those who are at highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
To read more, follow the link below:
Australia's COVID-19 vaccine coverage update- July 5 2021
The Australian Government Department of Health continue to publish information relating to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout; including data on population coverage.
Latest figures show that 71.64% of Victorians aged 70 years and over have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, with 16% having completed both recommended doses.
To view these statistics and read other information relating to vaccine distribution and uptake, please refer to:
Australian Government Department of Health: Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout