Updated immunisation reference page: Specialist immunisation services
MVEC’s Specialist immunisation services page was recently updated to include details of the new antenatal vaccination service at Northern Health.
Find more details about the new service at MVEC: Specialist immunisation services.
Updated immunisation reference page: Japanese encephalitis
Spread to humans through mosquito bites, Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a rare but potentially serious disease.
Booster doses are now recommended for individuals who remain at ongoing risk of exposure, to be administered 1 to 2 years following the primary course of vaccination. (Boosters are recommended where primary course was with JEspect, or where primary course was administered with Imojev at < 18 years).
MVEC’s JE reference page has been updated with the booster recommendations. The page includes information on JE disease, epidemiology and prevention recommendations.
Updated immunisation reference page: Needle anxiety and phobia
MVEC has recently updated our reference page on needle anxiety and phobia. The updated reference page provides recommendations for managing needle anxiety and needle phobia across age groups.
This reference page is intended to be helpful for for individuals experiencing needle anxiety or needle phobia, caregivers/parents/support people for individuals who need support, and vaccine providers.
MVEC: Needle anxiety and phobia
Updated immunisation reference page: Solid organ transplant recipient: pre-transplant immunisation recommendations
MVEC has recently reviewed and updated our solid organ transplant recipient immunisation guidelines.
The updated reference page includes background information on this group, recommendations for serology and screening, and detailed guidelines for vaccinations and timing.
MVEC: Solid organ transplant recipient: pre-transplant immunisation recommendations
Updated immunisation reference page: Pneumococcal
MVEC has recently updated in pneumococcal reference page in line with the 1 September changes to the pneumococcal childhood and adolescence vaccination schedule.
The pneumococcal reference page includes the latest immunisation guidelines, as well and information on pneumococcal disease, transmission and epidemiology. Find helpful links to reputable resources at the end of MVEC pneumococcal immunisation reference.
MVEC: Pneumococcal
MVEC: NIP Pneumococcal changes – Prevenar 20
Don't miss out on MVEC's 16 September CVU mini webinar for a comprehensive update and the chance to engage with leading experts in the Q&A session – learn more and register now.
Updated immunisation reference page: Travel and immunisation
International travel carries an increased likelihood of exposure to infections, illness or injury that a person may otherwise not be exposed to. When travelling overseas it is important to obtain vaccine recommendations from a healthcare professional trained in travel medicine to ensure optimal protection when in another country.
MVEC has recently updated its travel immunisation reference page. The updated page includes recommendations for routine vaccines, travel-specific vaccines and non-vaccine precautions. The reference also covers how and when to access preventative care before travel, and considerations for high-risk groups.
Vaccine administration error alert: Incorrect RSV prevention product
Inadvertent administration of adult RSV vaccines to infants
There have been a number of recent notifications of inadvertent administration of the adult RSV vaccine Abrysvo to infants in Victoria.
RSV vaccines, such as Abrsyvo and Arexvy, are not licensed for use in children. The safety and efficacy of these products in children has not been established. The only RSV prevention products recommended for eligible infants/young children are monoclonal antibody products, such as nirsevimab (Beyfortus). Current recommendations are for infants who have inadvertently received an RSV vaccine in error to be monitored for adverse events, and to receive a dose of nirsevimab.
Inadvertent administration of Arexvy in pregnancy
There have also been multiple notifications of inadvertent administration of Arexvy in pregnancy in Victoria.
Arexvy is not licensed for use in pregnancy, and there is limited data regarding its safety and efficacy in pregnancy. The only RSV vaccine recommended for use in pregnancy is Abrysvo, which is recommended between 28-36 weeks gestation. Current recommendations for women who have inadvertently received Arexvy in pregnancy do not recommend a follow up dose of Abrysvo within the same pregnancy. Nirsevimab may be considered for the infant.
Vaccine administration errors are preventable
Practices and immunisers should take appropriate steps to prevent errors, particularly in the context of a relatively new immunisation program. In the event of an error, the vaccinee or guardian should be informed via an open disclosure discussion. The error should also be reported to the jurisdiction’s vaccine safety service (SAEFVIC in Victoria).
All doses of RSV vaccines and nirsevimab should be reported to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
Further info
- Victorian Department of Health: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation
- MVEC: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- MVEC: Vaccine errors: prevention, management and open disclosure (eLearning course)
- Moro PL, Scheffey A, Gallego R, et al. Incorrect Administration of Adult RSV Vaccines to Young Children. Pediatrics. 2024 May 9;153(6):e2024066174. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-066174
- Moro PL, Gallego R, Scheffey A, et al. Administration of the GSK Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine to Pregnant Persons in Error. Obstet Gynecol. 2024 May 1;143(5):704-706
Updated immunisation reference page: Translated 2025 influenza page
Translated versions of MVEC’s newly updated 2025 influenza reference page are now available. Access the reference in Vietnamese, Hindi and Simplified Chinese.
MVEC’s influenza reference page details recommendations for flu vaccination in 2025, including:
- influenza strains included in this year’s vaccines
- brands available by age and funding
- commonly asked questions.
Switch between languages using the dropdown box at the beginning of the page.
MVEC: Influenza
Updated immunisation reference page: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
MVEC has recently updated its RSV reference page with a new FAQ addressing whether there is an increased risk of preterm birth associated with RSV vaccines in pregnancy.
Current data has not demonstrated a statistically significant risk of preterm birth associated with Abrysvo. A trial of a different RSV vaccine was halted due to a difference in the number of preterm births in the vaccine group compared with the placebo group.
Find MVEC’s detailed answer in the ‘Commonly asked questions’ section of the MVEC: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) reference page, under the question ‘Is there an increased risk of preterm birth associated with RSV vaccine in pregnancy’.
ATAGI: Statement on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines in 2025
On 3 March, the national Department of Health and Aged Care released the ATAGI statement on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines in 2025.
Influenza vaccines are recommended annually and are funded on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for:
- children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
- all adults aged 65 years and older
- specific populations aged 5 to 64 years who are at greatest risk of developing complications from influenza infection (including pregnant women, First Nations people, and those with certain medical risk factors).
For more details, refer to ATAGI’s full statement, and MVEC’s influenza reference page which has been updated for the 2025 influenza season.