Misinterpretation and misuse of recent COVID-19 study
The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) authors of a recent COVID-19 study have released a statement addressing the misinterpretation and misuse of their publication, BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination in children alters cytokine responses to heterologous pathogens and Toll-like receptor agonists.
The publication has been used to claim that COVID-19 vaccines are dangerous and that they suppress the immune system. The research does not provide any evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines are harmful to the immune system of children or adults.
MCRI: A statement regarding a recent COVID-19 vaccination publication
Decommission of COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program
The COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program was decommissioned on 30 September 2023. From January 2021 to September 2023, successful completion of this program was mandatory for all providers delivering COVID-19 vaccines.
In Victoria, Secretary Approval from 1 October allows nurse immunisers and pharmacist immunisers to independently deliver COVID-19 vaccines, in addition to medical practitioners. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner immunisers can administer COVID-19 vaccines under the written instruction of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner or authorised midwife.
Read more on the Victorian Department of Health COVID-19 vaccine page.
BMJ: Considerations for vaccinating children against COVID-19
In July, BMJ published a literature review led by researchers at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) including MVEC Director Prof Nigel Crawford. The paper describes COVID-19 in children, with a focus on low-income and middle-income countries, and summarises the published literature on safety, efficacy and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescents.
The review emphasises that at-risk groups should be prioritised for COVID-19 vaccination. According to the review, COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe COVID-19 in children and adolescents, although there is limited additional benefit in healthy children given widespread infection-derived immunity.
For more information, access the publication and accompanying MCRI news story below.
BJM Paediatrics Open: Considerations for vaccinating children against COVID-19
MCRI: COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe cases in children
Updated monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines approved by FDA
On 11 September, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved COVID-19 vaccines updated to include a monovalent component that targets currently circulating variants.
Bivalent Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorised for use in the US.
In Australia, bivalent COVID-19 vaccines (those which target the original/ancestral strain of the virus as well as an Omicron subvariant) continue to be recommended for primary vaccination and boosters in people aged 12 years and older.
Read more in the FDA’s press release: FDA: Updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines
Current ATAGI advice on bivalent COVID-19 vaccines:
ATAGI: Recommendations on use of the Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine (February 2023)
ATAGI: Recommendations on use of the Moderna bivalent COVID-19 vaccine (February 2023)
ATAGI: Advice on the preferential use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for primary vaccination of people aged 12 years or older (May 2023)
The Lancet: Surge of invasive group A strep in Australia
The Lancet recently published a study, analysing data from the Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) Networks, which shows Australia experienced an intense and unseasonal surge of invasive group A streptococcal disease in 2022.
The national research project involved researchers from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, including MVEC Director Prof Nigel Crawford.
Read the study in full: Increase in invasive group A streptococcal disease among Australian children coinciding with northern hemisphere surges
NCIRS: New Vaxelis and Infanrix hexa resource
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) has published a new resource to answer common questions about the Vaxelis and Infanrix hexa vaccines.
Vaxelis and Infanrix hexa are hexavalent (six-in-one) vaccines that protect against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis and haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).
NCIRS: Vaxelis and Infanrix hexa resource
ATAGI: Update on the COVID-19 vaccination program
On 1 September 2023, ATAGI updated its recommendations for additional COVID-19 vaccines doses. An additional 2023 dose is recommended for everyone aged 75 and over (if 6 months have passed since their last dose).
Everyone aged 65 to 75 and people aged 18 to 64 with severe immunocompromise should consider an additional 2023 dose (if 6 months have passed since their last dose).
In February 2023, ATAGI recommended COVID-19 boosters for everyone aged over 65 and for people aged 18 to 64 with severe immunocompromise (if 6 months have passed since their last dose). People who were recommended to receive a booster in February and who have not yet had one should receive an additional dose as soon as possible.
ATAGI: Update on the COVID-19 vaccination program
Victorian Department of Health: Changes to Victorian vaccine cold chain management protocols
The Victorian Department of Health has recently updated vaccine cold chain management protocols, effectively immediately.
Key points
- Immunisation providers must report all cold chain breaches for government funded vaccines that have been exposed to temperatures outside the recommended +2 °C to +8 °C cold chain range. (This excludes fluctuations up to +12 °C for no more than 15 minutes during restocking, cleaning or stocktaking.)
- All government vaccine account holders must nominate a vaccine coordinator and backup person to complete the department’s Clinical/Vaccine Coordinator Cold Chain Management eLearning module.
It is important to immediately discard the old Victorian Department of Health cold chain breach refrigerator magnet.
The department encourages all staff involved in vaccine storage and cold chain management to complete the Cold chain management eLearning module.
Victorian Department of Health: Cold chain management
Queensland meningococcal B vaccination program announced
The Queensland Government has announced that, beginning in early 2024, meningococcal B vaccines will be free for all infants and children under two years old, and adolescents aged 15 to 19 years.
Meningococcal is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. People with invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) can become extremely unwell very quickly. Of the 13 known subtypes of meningococcal, 5 are currently vaccine-preventable (B and A, C, W, Y).
Meningococcal ACWY vaccination is routinely administered under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Under the NIP, meningococcal B vaccines are available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged under 2 years and individuals with certain immunocompromising conditions.
MVEC recommends meningococcal ACWY and meningococcal B vaccination for anyone wishing to be protected. You can read more about IMD and vaccination on our reference page.
Queensland Government: Statement on meningococcal B vaccine
Queensland Health: Queensland menB vaccination program
Locally acquired cases of mpox (monkeypox) in Victoria
On 3 August 2023, the Victorian Department of Health issued a Chief Health Officer alert regarding local transmission of mpox (monkeypox) in Victoria.
Two locally acquired cases have been reported in Victoria.
Mpox is a viral infection. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, backache and muscle aches, fatigue and lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes). A rash may develop 1–3 days following the beginning of the early symptoms.
The recent cases in Victoria are the first to be reported in the state since November 2022. Since May 2022, there has been an international outbreak of mpox.
People with symptoms of mpox are advised to seek medical care and testing.
Head to the MVEC mpox reference page to find out more about mpox disease and vaccine recommendations.
Health alert: Local transmission of mpox in Victoria