Mobilising Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine workforce
The Australian Government have confirmed that COVID-19 vaccine delivery will be carried out by hospitals, general practices, state and commonwealth vaccination clinics, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and Pharmacies.
To supplement our already established vaccine workforce, and assist in vaccine delivery to outreach locations, Aspen Medical, Healthcare Australia, International SOS, and Sonic Clinical Services have been contracted to support each jurisdiction in their vaccine program.
To read the announcement in full, follow the below link:
Mobilising Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine workforce
GACVS COVID-19 Vaccine Safety subcommittee meeting to review reports of deaths of very frail elderly individuals vaccinated with Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, BNT162b2
The role of the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) is to provide independent, expert advice to the World Health Organization on the safety of vaccines.
On January 19 2021 a virtual meeting was held to review all available information on the deaths reported in frail, elderly individuals who had received the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Following this review, it was concluded that vaccination has not contributed to any unexpected or increase in number of fatalities in this patient group. As such, there is no change in recommendations around safety of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
To read more, follow the link below:
COVID-19 vaccine rollout: Primary care participation in Phase 1b–call for expressions of interest from General Practices
In preparation for the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in Australia, accredited general practices are invited to express their interest in participating in Phase 1b of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program.
Phase 1b of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program is dedicated to delivering 14.8 million doses of the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (dependant on TGA approval).
The Phase 1b priority populations include:
- People aged 70 years and over
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults
- Critical and high-risk workers including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat
processing
- Health care workers other than those prioritised in Phase 1a, including (but not limited to)
hospitals, general practices, pharmacists, allied health, and other healthcare services in the
community
- People at increased risk of severe disease
For further information, including how to register your interest, please follow the link below:
CNN: How some states are administering Covid-19 vaccines at twice the speed of others
Data from the CDC reveals that of the 31 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine that have been distributed to the various jurisdictions in the United States, only 39% (12.2 million doses) have actually been administered. Those states with the highest vaccination rates have suggested that preparation, communication and strategic planning have been vital in vaccine rollout.
To read more follow the link below:
CNN: How some states are administering Covid-19 vaccines at twice the speed of others
ABC radio: Norway to continue using Pfizer's COVID vaccine despite elderly deaths
Dr Steinar Madsen, Medical Director of the Norwegian Medicines Agency, has been interviewed by ABC radio to discuss the recent reports of deaths in elderly people following immunisation with the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Whilst investigations are underway, he stresses that side effects are rare and Norway will continue with the use of this vaccine as part of their COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
To listen to the interview, please follow the link below:
ABC radio: Norway to continue using Pfizer's COVID vaccine despite elderly deaths
TGA: Norwegian investigation of COVID-19 vaccination risks for elderly, very frail patients
There have been recent reports from Norway of over 30 deaths out of the 40,000 elderly people who have been vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The deaths were associated with fever, nausea and diarrhoea following vaccination. Adverse events following immunisation like these are expected following this vaccine and are usually short-lived. The recorded deaths were in very frail patients whose life expectancy was weeks to months.
The TGA is working closely with European regulators to investigate these reports further and will determine whether product information for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine should include warnings about risks to frail, elderly or terminally ill people.
Read more in the TGA’s statement via the link below:
TGA: Norwegian investigation of COVID-19 vaccination risks for elderly, very frail patients
The Washington Post: The coronavirus-free island nation of Palau could soon vaccinate almost all its people
With a population of close to 18,000 people, the tiny island nation of Palau has managed to remain free of COVID-19 disease. As part of a "free association" agreement with the United States, Palau has access to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, and aims to immunise almost its entire population by April 2021.
To read more, follow the below link:
The Age: We cannot delay vaccine rollout and risk major illness in winter
A call by many scientists to pause the proposed COVID-19 vaccine rollout is a cause for concern.
The following article suggests that Australia's initial public health goal should be a rapid vaccine rollout and not herd immunity, in order to limit further risk of major illness. In order to achieve a rapid rollout, both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are needed. Recent modelling suggests that vaccination will most likely shift SARS-CoV-2 from a virus causing major disease burden, to a relatively benign coronavirus causing the common cold.
To read the article in full follow the below link:
The Age: We cannot delay vaccine rollout and risk major illness in winter
Peak bodies support Australia's COVID-19 vaccine strategy
In a statement released on January 13, 2020, the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID), the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) and the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) have shown support for the Commonwealth Government's COVID-19 vaccine strategy. The statement suggests that recent media reports surrounding concerns for the ability of any vaccine to create herd immunity is unjustified and reinforces that the public should have confidence in the approach being taken to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Australians.
To read the statement in full follow the link below:
Peak bodies support Australia's COVID-19 vaccine strategy
Raising Children Network - new immunisation resources
MVEC have partnered with the Raising Children Network to develop parent focused immunisation resources explaining vaccine immunity and the vaccine development process.
To view these articles follow the link below:
Vaccine development: a guide for families
Vaccine immunity: how vaccines prevent infectious diseases