New immunisation reference page: Live-attenuated vaccines in patients receiving regular red blood cell transfusions
Patients receiving regular red blood cell transfusions to treat chronic medical conditions such as transfusion dependent thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, inherited chronic haemolytic anaemias, or inherited bone marrow failure syndromes are often left unprotected from vaccine preventable diseases due to not meeting the required intervals between red blood cell transfusions. Evidence in this space is limited, however specialist advice suggests that immunisation of this patient group with live-attenuated vaccines is safe and recommended. As such, MVEC has created a new reference page outlining the process of immunisation for these patients. Please refer to MVEC: Live-attenuated vaccines in patients receiving regular red blood cell transfusions for more information.
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.
MVEC immunisation reference page updates reflecting NIP changes 1 July 2020
We have updated the following MVEC immunisation reference pages to reflect the changes to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) as of 1 July 2020:
- MVEC: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander immunisation recommendations
- MVEC: Asplenia
- MVEC: Children with cardiac disease
- MVEC: Meningococcal disease and vaccines
- MVEC: Meningococcal vaccines in special risk and immunosuppressed patients
- MVEC: Preterm infant immunisation
- MVEC: Recommended additional vaccines for purchase up to 20 years of age (unfunded)
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:
New immunisation reference page: Intradermal vaccination
Intradermal vaccination is the delivery of vaccines into the outer layers of the skin and is used for a small number of vaccines such as BCG and Hepatitis B (for non-responders).
To find out more about intradermal vaccination, which vaccines can be given this way and how intradermal vaccines are administered, please see our new immunisation reference page, MVEC: Intradermal vaccination.
Pharmacist Immuniser Update
Victorian Pharmacist Immunisers are now authorised to administer influenza vaccines to patients 10-years and older and pertussis-containing, measles-mumps-rubella and meningococcal ACWY vaccines to people aged 15 years and older.
For more information see the most recent DHHS Secretary Approval: Pharmacist Immuniser.
See also our updated MVEC: Pharmacist Immuniser page and the MVEC: Influenza vaccine recommendations page.
How do I know which influenza brand to use in the 2020 influenza season?
| Age group | Brand and dose | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FluQuadri® 0.5ml (Sanofi) | Vaxigrip Tetra® 0.5ml (Sanofi) | Fluarix Tetra® 0.5ml (GSK) | Afluria Quad® 0.5ml (Seqirus) | Influvac Tetra® 0.5ml (Mylan) | Fluad® Quad 0.5ml (Seqirus) | |
| <6-months | Too young to receive vaccine (N/A) | |||||
| 6 to 35-months (<3-years) *¥ | 0.5ml | 0.5ml | 0.5ml | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| ≥3-years to <5-years *¥ | 0.5ml | 0.5ml | 0.5ml | N/A | 0.5ml | N/A |
| ≥5 to <65-years *¥ | 0.5ml | 0.5ml | 0.5ml | 0.5ml | 0.5ml | N/A |
|
≥65-years |
0.5ml | 0.5ml | 0.5ml | 0.5ml | 0.5ml | 0.5ml# |
For further information on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2020, refer to our MVEC resources: Influenza vaccine recommendations page
Influenza vaccine 2020 FAQ's
MVEC’s Frequently Asked Questions for the 2020 Influenza season are now available online
To view our reference page please click on the following link:
MVEC: Influenza vaccines: Frequently asked questions
MVEC Influenza recommendations 2020
For information on influenza immunisation for the 2020 season, including age specific brands, dosing guidelines and advice for at risk groups, please refer to:
MVEC: Influenza vaccine recommendations 2020
New immunisation reference page: Gelatin allergy and vaccines
Gelatin in vaccines can cause allergic reactions therefore people with severe allergies to gelatin should avoid gelatin-containing vaccines. See our new Gelatin allergy and vaccines reference page for more information.
MVEC: Gelatin allergy & vaccines