Upcoming changes to the NIP from July 1, 2020
On July 1, 2020, there will be several changes to the National Immunisation Program (NIP):
Eligibility for free NIP pneumococcal vaccines (Prevenar 13®, Pneumovax 23®)
- Ceasing Pneumovax 23® for healthy non-Indigenous adults at 65 years of age
- Commencing Prevenar 13® for healthy non-Indigenous adults ≥70 years of age
- Commencing Prevenar 13® for Indigenous adults at ≥50 years of age plus Pneumovax 23® x 2 doses in a lifetime
- Commencing Prevenar 13® for >12 months of age (including adolescents and adults) with newly diagnosed risk conditions plus Pneumovax 23® x 2 doses in a lifetime
- New eligibility criteria for risk conditions
Eligibility for free NIP meningococcal B (Bexsero®) vaccine:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants receive 2 primary doses of Bexsero® and 1 booster dose – 2, 4 and 12 months of age
- Bexsero® catch-up is available for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children <2 years of age for 3 years until 30 June 2023
- Some people with risk conditions will be eligible for Bexsero®
Read more about the changes here:
Who's leading the race? A guide to coronavirus vaccines in the pipeline
This article from the ABC takes a closer look at some of the candidates in the race to making an effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. It looks at the ten vaccines currently in human trials (as at May 24, 2020).
Different kinds of vaccines in development are also discussed, both an experimental genetic vaccine as well as a viral vector vaccine; and which stage of trials these vaccines are currently at.
Read more here:
ABC: Who's leading the race? A guide to coronavirus vaccines in the pipeline
Stay tuned for our latest podcast series launching this week, COVID19 Road to a vaccine. Associate Professor Nigel Crawford, Director of SAEFVIC, will be discussing the different steps involved in creating a new vaccine with global vaccine experts.
Hepatitis A outbreak in Victoria
There is an ongoing hepatitis A outbreak in Victoria largely among people use drugs (primarily by injection) and people experiencing homelessness. According to the Department of Health, as of the 6th May 2020, there have been 56 confirmed cases and 6 possible cases associated with this outbreak since mid 2019.
In order to control this outbreak a hepatitis A vaccination program targeting affected people groups (people who use drugs and those experiencing homelessness) will be available until the 31st August, 2020.
Hepatitis B vaccine should also be offered as hepatitis B and C have a high rate of prevalence among people who inject drugs. Influenza vaccine should also be offered.
Read the full Department of Health advisory here: Hepatitis A outbreak
New NCIRS resource - Influenza vaccination during COVID-19 - FAQs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at an increased risk of serious disease when they contract influenza. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people are accessing an influenza vaccine. The influenza vaccine is funded under the National Immunisation Program for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6-months and over.
NCIRS have created a new FAQ resource addressing questions most frequently asked by people in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community:
NCIRS: Influenza vaccination during COVID-19 - FAQs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Are children with asthma at a greater risk of severe disease with COVID-19?
The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) are conducting extensive research into why children are more mildly affected by COVID-19. They are also investigating whether chronic health conditions such as asthma increase the risk of severe disease.
Read more about how children with asthma may be affected by COVID-19 at the link below:
MCRI: COVID-19 and asthma: what are the risks for children?
ATAGI guiding principles for maintaining immunisation services during the COVID-19 pandemic
Immunisation remains an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic and it is very important immunisation providers maintain routine immunisation services whilst complying with measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
If scheduled vaccines are missed or delayed and the overall vaccination coverage rates drop, the risk of a resurgence of a well-controlled vaccine preventable disease like measles is increased. If this happens during or after the current pandemic, it places further stress on the health care system.
With this in mind, ATAGI (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation) have released guiding principles on maintaining immunisation services during the COVID-19 pandemic:
ATAGI: Guiding principles for maintaining immunisation services during the COVID-19 pandemic
Influenza vaccine and egg allergy
Based on prospective and retrospective studies of influenza vaccination in those with and without egg allergy (including egg anaphylaxis), the presence of egg allergy does not increase the risk of allergic reactions to the influenza vaccine and can be administered in a community immunisation setting, as a single dose, followed by the recommended 15 minute observation period.
For further information please see the following:
The new Australian Immunisation Handbook App
The Australian Immunisation Handbook is now available in an app! It can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
Download Instructions:
- Search for "Immunisation Handbook" in either of the above app stores on the device you wish to add the Handbook App.
- Select the Australian Immunisation Handbook App. (Depending on your device, this may have either “Australian Department of Health” or “Medical” as the sub-header.)
- Click the Download icon to start.
- When the download is finished, you can open the App.
- The first time you open the App it will take approximately 1-2 minutes. (This is to store all the data into your device.)
World Immunisation Week 24th - 30th April 2020
It's World Immunisation Week!
The aim of World Immunization Week (WIW) is to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. Every year, millions of lives are saved thanks to immunisation and it is recognized widely as one of the most successful and cost effective health interventions. However, nearly 20 million children are still unvaccinated and under-vaccinated worldwide.
As a proud member of the Vaccine Safety Network (a global network of websites established by the World Health Organisation), MVEC is pleased to celebrate WIW. Join us on Facebook and Instagram as we celebrate WIW with the theme #VaccinesWork for All and focus on the people who develop, deliver and receive vaccines.
Read more about WIW here:
World Health Organisation: World Immunization Week
Clinical trial of BCG vaccine against COVID-19 (BRACE)
Led by Professor Nigel Curtis, Researchers at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute are conducting a randomised controlled clinical trial of the BCG vaccine against COVID-19. The study, known as the BRACE trial (BCG vaccination to Reduce the impact of COVID-19 in Australian healthcare workers following Coronavirus Exposure), has been endorsed by the Director-General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Designed to provide protection against tuberculosis, the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine may also potentially provide immunity to protect against other infections. The purpose of the BRACE trial is to investigate whether or not BCG vaccination protects against COVID-19 or reduces the severity of symptoms of COVID-19 in healthcare workers.
This has led to people who do not meet the criteria for the trial seeking to have the BCG vaccine.
MVEC and physician BCG experts, have reached a consensus position on this issue, as detailed below:
| We strongly advise against anyone having BCG outside of a clinical trial, unless they meet criteria as per the Australian Immunisation Handbook tuberculosis guidelines. |
BCG vaccine is known to be effective in protecting young children from tuberculosis, and has been affected by global shortages in recent years. Using a vaccine (like BCG), for a non-proven use, carries risks to those vaccinated and those who prescribe it. Furthermore, additional use of BCG vaccine outside a trial, could lead to shortages for infants who need it to protect against tuberculosis. Many travel clinics providing BCG have been placed on-hold due to the current limitations on overseas travel. However, travel and hospital-based BCG clinics will aim to increase access to the vaccine when travel restrictions (including to tuberculosis endemic countries) are lifted.
Authorised by:
- Dr Nigel Curtis, Dr Nigel Crawford, Dr Jim Buttery, Dr Shidan Tosif, Dr Daryl Cheng and Dr Teresa Lazzaro
-8th April 2020
Resources:
- MCRI: BCG vaccination to Reduce the impact of COVID-19 in Australian healthcare workers following Coronavirus Exposure (BRACE) Trial
- MCRI: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute to trial preventative vaccine for COVID-19 healthcare workers
- MVEC: BCG vaccine (including BCG clinics in Victoria)
- Australian Immunisation Handbook: Tuberculosis