New immunisation reference page: COVID-19 mixed vaccine schedules
With the emergence of variant COVID-19 strains, global vaccine supply issues, and the need to rapidly immunise the population, a number of clinical trials are investigating the option of “mixed schedules”. Mixed schedules have been used previously in other vaccination strategies and involve the administration of different vaccine brands to complete a vaccine course.
Our new reference page explores the clinical trials underway which aim to determine the safety of mixed scheduling, the immunogenicity, as well as the recommendations for intervals between doses.
Due to a lack of available data, mixed vaccine schedules are not currently approved in Australia however are in use in Canada and across Europe.
To read more, follow the link below:
MVEC: COVID-19 mixed vaccine schedules
Updated immunisation reference pages: TTS, G6PD and COVID-19 vaccines and allergy
We have recently updated some of our immunisation reference pages to include the latest information and recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccines. To view these pages please follow the links below:
MVEC: Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)
MVEC: G6PD deficiency and vaccines
MVEC: COVID-19 vaccines and allergy
New immunisation reference page: COVID-19 vaccine delivery: workforce training and application process
Due to the volume of immunisations that need to be administered with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, an expansion of the current immunisation workforce is required. Specific training and education is needed in order to ensure that the immunisation workforce is appropriately trained to allow each vaccine to be administered safely and effectively.
Our new reference page, COVID-19 vaccine delivery: workforce training and application process, details the frequently asked questions regarding training requirements for each member of the Victorian COVID-19 immunisation workforce.
To read more, follow the link below:
COVID-19 vaccine delivery: workforce training and application process
Raising Children Network - new COVID-19 vaccination: pregnancy and breastfeeding resource
MVEC have partnered with the Raising Children Network to develop a new resource focused on providing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy.
To view this article follow the link below:
COVID-19 vaccination: pregnancy and breastfeeding
Further information on vaccines for pregnant and breastfeeding women can be found via our immunisation reference pages below:
MVEC: Maternal vaccination during pregnancy
MVEC: Breastfeeding and immunisations
New immunisation reference page: COVID-19 vaccination in children
COVID-19 infections have generally produced more severe disease outcomes in adults and the older population, with children generally experiencing milder symptoms. For this reason, initial COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials and vaccine rollouts focused on the adult population. However, it is recognised that in order to achieve herd immunity within the community, the vaccination of children needs to be considered.
Our new reference page outlines the importance of conducting paediatric focused COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials and summarises the trials that are currently underway.
To read more follow the link below:
MVEC: COVID-19 vaccination in children
Guidance for differentiating anaphylaxis from acute stress response for vaccine providers and Emergency Departments
Anaphylaxis following immunisation is extremely rare but can be life-threatening if not managed effectively. There are many conditions with similar presentations to anaphylaxis without being true anaphylaxis (eg. vasovagal, anxiety, vocal cord dysfunction) which can make the diagnosis difficult.
The Department of Health and the VicSIS network have put together Guidance for differentiating anaphylaxis from acute stress response for vaccine providers and Emergency Departments. This helpful resource provides a comparison of signs and symproms, as well as highlights the importance of measuring tryptase levels in patients with suspected anaphylaxis.
This guidance can be found in the resources section of the below reference page:
MVEC: COVID-19 vaccines and allergy
New immunisation reference page: COVID-19 vaccines in people with immunocompromise
Despite vaccination being recommended, there is currently minimal data on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in the immunocompromised population. In principle, there are no theoretical safety risks and no vaccine safety signals have been identified for vaccinated people with immunocompromise to date. Similar to responses following the administration of other inactivated vaccines in immunocompromised people, a reduced efficacy may occur following vaccination against COVID-19.
Our new reference page collates the various recommendations and guidance available for a broad group of immunocompromising conditions and therapies, as well as providing specific recommendations and/or links where available.
To read more, follow the link below:
MVEC: COVID-19 vaccines in people with immunocompromise
New immunisation reference page: Adverse events following COVID-19 immunisation
All immunisations are medications and all medications do have side effects. For each vaccine there is a known list of common or expected adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) and then a smaller list of serious side effects. Reporting significant adverse events is important to allow for signal detection and investigation as part of post-licensure vaccine safety monitoring.
Our new reference page explores what sort of reactions are common and expected following COVID-19 immunisation, and what sort of reactions warrant reporting.
For more information please refer to the following:
MVEC: COVID-19 vaccine adverse events
ABC News: ATAGI have told the Prime Minister to pull back on the AstraZeneca vaccine for under 50s and use Pfizer, but who are they?
The Australian Government’s recent decision to amend Australia’s vaccine program was based on the recommendation provided by ATAGI, following international evidence linking a rare blood-clotting condition to the AstraZeneca vaccine in younger people.
ATAGI is the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. They provide recommendations to the Minister for Health regarding the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and other immunisation issues including immunisation research and immunisation policies, procedures and vaccine safety. Comprising of 14 medical experts, the group is co-chaired by Associate Professor Christopher Blyth, a specialist in paediatric infectious diseases, and Professor Allen Cheng, who specialises in epidemiology and public health.
This article summarises the role of ATAGI, including their recent recommendations to the Government regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine.
To read more follow the link below:
For more information on ATAGI, please refer to our MVEC reference page:
New immunisation reference page: Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome
Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) is a newly described serious condition which has been reported in people following receipt of dose 1 of COVID-19 AstraZeneca.
Our new reference page explores what is known about the syndrome including symptoms, rates of occurrence globally, risk factors and the types of investigations that should be performed in patients where TTS is suspected.
To read more please refer to the below link:
MVEC: Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome