AJGP, October 2020: a focus on immunisation
The October 2020 edition of the Australian Journal of General Practice covers important topics in immunisation including:
- Immunisation and allergy in children and adults: A case based approach
- Seizures following vaccination in children: Risks, outcomes and management of subsequent revaccination
- Preparing the public for COVID-19 vaccines: How can general practitioners build vaccine confidence and optimise uptake for themselves and their patients?
- Maternal vaccinations
- BCG : An update on current Australian practices
Read the articles in full below:
Australian Journal of General Practice, October 2020
Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) COVID-19 Working Group
The role of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is to provide independent advice to the Minister for Health on all matters relating to immunisation in Australia. In September 2020 ATAGI convened a new SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) working group. The key objectives of this group are to provide advice on COVID-19 immunisation programs and policies, to improve confidence in COVID-19 vaccines and to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines as they become available in Australia.
To learn more, please see below:
EMA starts first rolling review of a COVID-19 vaccine in the EU
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has begun a "rolling review" of the AstraZeneca Oxford SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate. Normal regulatory processes for medicines involve the submission of all safety and efficacy data to the Agency at the completion of clinical trials. A "rolling review" means that the Agency can begin evaluating data as it becomes available. By employing this method of approval, the regulation process will maintain its usual quality and safety standards, but be shorter than the usual process due to the time gained by reviewing data as it becomes available.
To learn more please read below:
EMA starts first rolling review of a COVID-19 vaccine in the EU
Frontiers in Immunology: Progress and Pitfalls in the Quest for Effective SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccines
With over 200 COVID-19 vaccine candidates currently in pre-clinical and clinical trials, the following article reviews what we know about the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and explores the various vaccine platforms being utilised to develop a safe and effective vaccine. Potential issues including adverse effects and the need for mass production are also discussed, as well as the challenges of rapid and equitable vaccine delivery.
Read the article in full here:
NEJM: Evaluating and Deploying Covid-19 Vaccines — The Importance of Transparency, Scientific Integrity, and Public Trust
The following article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, discusses the importance of adhering to well-established and transparent regulatory processes when it comes to approving a COVID-19 vaccine. Reassuring the public with robust scientific evaluation from independent bodies, without interference from governments for the purposes of political advantage, is essential to promote public confidence and ensure the success of vaccination programs.
Read the article in full here:
Halting the Oxford vaccine trial doesn't mean it's not safe- it shows they're following the right process
Due to a single event of an unexplained illness, the AstraZeneca Oxford group have announced a voluntary pause on all vaccinations across all sites of their COVID-19 vaccine candidate clinical trial. This pause will allow an independent committee to review the safety data and investigate the incident.
The following article, published in The Conversation, outlines how this halt doesn't necessarily indicate that the vaccine is not safe, but reflects the robust processes for clinical trials. It is important to recognise that whilst these clinical trials are moving at pandemic speed, safety is not being compromised.
2020 influenza vaccines- it's not too late to get vaccinated
Influenza disease can occur at any time of year and vaccination is recommended for everyone over 6-months of age. Certain patient groups are eligible for funded influenza vaccines on the National Immunisation Program (NIP). It is also available to purchase for those who do not meet funding criteria.
For further information on influenza vaccination in 2020 please refer to the following resources:
Australian Government Department of Health: 2020 influenza vaccines- it's not too late to get vaccinated
MVEC: Influenza vaccine recommendations
MVEC: Influenza vaccine- Frequently asked questions
Africa declared free of wild polio
After 4 years without a case of wild polio, the African region has been declared free of wild poliovirus. MVEC congratulates the efforts of everyone involved in accomplishing such a tremendous achievement which has been described by WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as "one of the greatest public health achievements of our time". This milestone means that Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only 2 countries worldwide who continue to see wild poliovirus transmission.
To read more on this remarkable effort please follow the links:
Africa kicks out wild polio
WHO: Global polio eradication initiative applauds WHO African region for wild polio-free certification
Zostavax safety advice: not to be administered to people with compromised immune function
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have issued a reminder that Zostavax® vaccine should not be administered to people with compromised immune function. Vaccination in this patient group is contraindicated and can result in infection with the vaccine virus causing mild to severe complications (including death).
Further details on the alert can be seen here: TGA: Zostavax® vaccine
For more information on Zostavax® and access to the Zostavax® GP decision aid please review the MVEC pages below:
MVEC: Zoster
MVEC: Zoster vaccine (Zostavax®) FAQ's
The use of foetal tissue in vaccine development
There has been attention in the media recently regarding the use of foetal cell lines by the Oxford Vaccine Group to develop their COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Cell lines are currently used to manufacture many vaccines including varicella, hepatitis A, rabies and MMR vaccines.
The below information from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHoP) discusses the background behind using these cell lines in vaccine development as well as any potential ethical or religious concerns surrounding this.
Vaccine ingredients- Fetal tissues