The International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA) statement about confidence in vaccine safety and effectiveness
In a global effort to promote confidence in the safety of vaccines, the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA) have released new documentation explaining the scientific evaluation process undertaken by vaccine candidates prior to licensing, as well as discussing the ongoing safety surveillance that continues after they have been approved for use. These documents are targeted for both health care professionals as well as consumers.
Read more here:
ICMRA statement about confidence in vaccine safety and effectiveness (for healthcare professionals)
ICMRA statement about confidence in vaccines (for the general public)
Zostavax safety advisory
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have reiterated their advice that Zostavax should not be administered to immunocompromised individuals as it is associated with a risk of mild-serious complications. This advice follows a report of a new case of a patient who was taking hydroxychloroquine and a low dose of prednisolone who died three weeks after receiving the Zostavax vaccine. Whilst it was found that the Zostavax was administered in line with existing recommendations it is important that health professionals are aware of the potential of this kind of very rare adverse event.
Read more here:
And for more information on Zoster and to access the Zostavax GP Decision Aid refer to the MVEC: Zoster immunisation reference page.
National immunisation catch-up calculator v1.0 now available
The Australian Government Department of Health have released the first version of the National Immunisation Catch-up Calculator (NICC). It is available on the Australian Immunisation Handbook website and replaces the immunisation calculator hosted by the South Australian Department of Health.
You can access the NICC here:
National Immunisation Catch-up Calculator
1 July 2020 - Changes to the NIP
From today, there are changes to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) designed to improve protection against meningococcal and pneumococcal disease.
You can read more about these changes here:
You can view the updated Victorian Immunisation Schedule here:
Immunisation schedule Victoria
We have updated the following pages to reflect these changes:
- MVEC: Asplenia
- MVEC: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander immunisation recommendations
- MVEC: Meningococcal disease and vaccines
- MVEC: Meningococcal vaccines in special risk and immunosuppressed patients
- MVEC: Recommended additional vaccines for purchase up to 20 years of age (unfunded)
- MVEC: Children with cardiac disease
- MVEC: Preterm infant immunisation
Researchers at RCH show no association in vaccine uptake as a result of mandatory vaccination policies
Researchers from the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne's Specialist Immunisation Clinic and Drop in Centre have demonstrated mandatory immunisation policies 'No Jab, No Pay' and 'No Jab, No Play' show no association in vaccine uptake. Whilst the policies motivated attendance to a tertiary service, they don't appear to be changing vaccination behaviour as was the intention, with further evaluation required.
Read more here:
NCIRS webinar - NIP changes, what you need to know
On the 1st July 2020 important changes to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and recommendations for pneumococcal, meningococcal and Hepatitis A vaccinations will come into effect.
NCIRS hosted a webinar about these changes which is now available to view online:
NCIRS: Upcoming NIP changes: what you need to know
Flu deaths prevented as cases plummet amid coronavirus lockdowns, AMA says
New data as reported by the ABC suggest that social distancing measures, reduced travel and other restrictions implemented in the COVID-19 pandemic appear to have resulted in a sharp decline in the number of influenza cases.
Dr Chris Moy of the Australian Medical Association is careful to note that we may have actually delayed an influenza outbreak, but still believes the number of influenza cases will be less as we have a far more immunised population this year.
Read more here:
ABC: Flu deaths prevented as cases plummet amid coronavirus lockdowns, AMA says
The MVEC team strongly support vaccination as a way to protect from seasonal influenza, read more in our MVEC Influenza vaccine recommendations.
NCIRS webinar: Upcoming National Immunisation Program changes: what you need to know
On the 1st July 2020 important changes to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and recommendations for pneumococcal, meningococcal and hepatitis A vaccinations will take effect.
NCIRS are hosting a webinar about these changes on June 16th at 1pm (AEST). Register for the webinar at the link below:
NCIRS: Upcoming NIP changes: what you need to know
Yellow fever vaccination in egg-allergic children
Yellow Fever is a disease transmitted by mosquito vector, which can lead to serious complications or even death. Treatment is supportive, with vaccination being the most important strategy in preventing the disease; providing immunity in more than 95% of people who receive the vaccine. Currently, many guidelines advise that egg anaphylaxis is a contraindication to receiving a yellow fever vaccine (YFV), with the Australian Immunisation Handbook recommending people requiring the vaccine discuss this with an immunologist or allergist due to the YFV containing egg ovalbumin.
Due to the serious nature of the disease, some countries requiring proof of immunisation as an entry requirement and the widely varying guidelines pertaining to YFV in egg-allergic people; researchers from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS), and the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, have published a case series proposing that skin testing may not be required for patients with mild egg allergy, and that a 2-step graded challenge under medical supervision is a safe alternative.
Read more about their findings and recommendations here:
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal: Yellow Fever Vaccination in EGG Allergic Children
NCIRS: Yellow Fever vaccination in egg-allergic children
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: