Effectiveness of First Dose of COVID-19 Vaccines Against Hospital Admissions in Scotland
A recent study in Scotland has investigated the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech) and ChAdOx1 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) COVID-19 vaccines in preventing hospital admissions.
The study across approximately 99% of Scotland’s population (5.4 million people) found that a single dose of either vaccine resulted in significant reductions in COVID-19 related hospitalisations.
Read more via the link below:
The University of Melbourne: Learning as we go during vaccine rollout
As Australia begins its COVID-19 vaccine rollout, preventing disease transmission and achieving herd immunity are the long-term goals. This will only become known once the vaccine has been administered in a larger population.
The following article explores our experiences with past immunisation programs and highlights the idea of modifying schedules as further information comes to light. It is recommended that in the context of COVID-19 vaccines and a global pandemic, we must use the vaccines that are available now, and then adapt the program later.
It is suggested that with Australia's current rate of disease burden, further consideration needs to be given to developing countries to ensure a vaccine is readily available and affordable for all.
To read more follow the link below:
The University of Melbourne: Learning as we go during vaccine rollout
The Conversation: When vaccinating 26 million Australians, expect a mistake or two. But we can minimise the risk of repeating Queensland's overdose incident
Following the inadvertent administration of a higher than recommended dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to two aged-care residents, the following article discusses how this incident could happen and how we can aim to minimise the risk of it happening again.
Looking at data collected from clinical trials it is reassuring that this mistake is unlikely to have serious side effects. Moving forward it is suggested that supporting the education of immunisation providers, as well as enhancing the way we capture errors, will promote confidence in a COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
To read the article in full follow the link below:
TGA provisionally approves AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine
Following a thorough review process, informed by expert and independent advice from the Advisory Committee on Vaccines (ACV), the TGA has granted provisional approval for the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
Provisional registration will allow COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca to be administered to individuals 18 years and over for the prevention of COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. The 2 dose course may be administered with a 4-12 week interval, with ATAGI preferring doses separated by 12 weeks. In certain circumstances an interval of 4 weeks is acceptable.
Of note, there were no safety concerns revealed in clinical trials involving patients >65 years of age and a strong immune response was demonstrated. However due to insufficient numbers of participants infected with SARS-CoV-2 in this age group, efficacy could not be conclusively determined. As a result, the immunisation of individuals in this age group should be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Supply of this vaccine will initially be imported from overseas, with ongoing supply of vaccines to be manufactured in Australia.
To read the press release in full follow the link below:
TGA provisionally approves AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 Vaccination Intent, Perceptions, and Reasons for Not Vaccinating Among Groups Prioritized for Early Vaccination
A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States shows intent to receive a COVID-19 vaccination has risen to almost 50% amongst adults and priority groups, up from almost 40% several months prior. Non-intent has dropped to around 32%, with the groups with the highest levels of non-intent including young adults, females, non-Hispanic Black adults, adults who do not live in metropolitan areas and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
The report highlights the key role health care workers play in addressing reasons for non-intent as they are trusted sources of information. This will be critical in promoting vaccine confidence and decreasing the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring there is equitable vaccine coverage and uptake amongst minority populations.
Read the full report below:
Patterns of COVID-19 dynamics following deployment of a broad national immunization program
A data analysis in Israel has investigated the number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations following a vaccination campaign that commenced in December 2020. At the time of analysis, 80% of people aged over 60-years had been vaccinated. The data demonstrated a 49% drop in COVID-19 cases, a 36% drop in COVID-19 related hospitalisations and a 29% drop in critically ill patients compared to three weeks prior in this age group.
Read more below:
COVID vaccine offers two-thirds protection in just one jab
Positive news out of the United Kingdom with findings set to be published in the coming days demonstrating one dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine starts providing protection in as little as two weeks in younger adults, and three weeks in the elderly population. The data further demonstrates the vaccine is just as effective in people aged over 80-years as it is in people aged under 65-years.
One dose has shown to reduce symptomatic infection risk by 65% in younger adults and by 64% in people aged over 80 years, with protection rising to between 79% and 84% after two doses.
Scientists also note data regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine is showing similar levels of protection across all age groups.
The research is suggestive that people in Britain who have been vaccinated to date will have high levels of protection by the end of February, with admissions to intensive care expected to fall by up to a third by early March.
The Sun: Covid vaccine offers two-thirds protection in just ONE jab and will lead to lockdown escape
Building a stronger Australian Immunisation Register
A change in legislation, making it a requirement for all vaccination providers to report every vaccine to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), has passed through Parliament.
This will allow for a more comprehensive reporting of immunisation data to help enhance vaccination coverage rates and monitor the effectiveness of Australia's immunisation program.
Every COVID-19 vaccine administered within Australia must reported to AIR. From March 1, 2021 every Influenza vaccine must be included and all other NIP vaccines must be reported from July 1, 2021.
To understand more about the new legislation please refer to the press release below:
Building a stronger Australian Immunisation Register
Imperial College London survey suggests confidence in coronavirus vaccines is rising globally
A recent survey from the Imperial College London’s Institute of Global Health Innovation has shown that willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine is increasing.
The survey was initially run in November 2020 across 15 countries and demonstrated that just 41% of people would be willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time. This number has risen to 54% in results from the same survey, run again in January 2021. Results demonstrated vast differences in attitudes towards vaccination based on location, with 78% of people surveyed in the UK willing to be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine. People in France demonstrated the least willingness, with 44% of people stating they would not be vaccinated.
The survey further demonstrated that worry over vaccine side effects has decreased in 9 of the 15 countries who participated. The report is part of a global effort to monitor health related behaviours and attitudes during the pandemic to inform decision-makers based on a country’s needs.
Read more about the results of the survey via the link below:
Imperial College London: Confidence in coronavirus vaccines is rising globally, survey suggests
ASCIA release COVID-19 vaccination position statement
The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) have released a position statement on COVID-19 vaccination. The statement reflects the COVID-19 vaccines the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted provisional approval for use in Australia, as well as vaccines that may also be granted provisional approval in the future. It contains guidance based on current data for COVID-19 vaccination in people with allergic conditions, immunodeficiencies and autoimmune conditions, pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under 16 years of age.
You can access the full statement via the link below:
ASCIA: Allergy, Immunodeficiency, Autoimmunity and COVID-19 Vaccination Position Statement