Updated immunisation reference page: Meningococcal
Meningococcal disease constitutes any illness caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. There are 13 known sub-types (serogroups) and of these, 5 are currently vaccine preventable (B and A, C, W, Y).
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) can cause meningitis (inflammation of the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord) and septicaemia (infection in the blood), as well as other infections like pneumonia (lung infection), arthritis (inflammation of the joints) and conjunctivitis (eye infection). Mortality (death) can be as high as 5-10% with permanent lifelong complications occurring in 10-20% of those who survive.
Individuals with specified medical conditions that increase the risk of IMD are recommended and funded to receive additional meningococcal vaccines and booster doses.
Our immunisation reference page has recently been updated to include:
- updated MenACWY vaccine recommendations for high-risk individuals
- updated MenB vaccine recommendations for high-risk individuals.
To view the updated page in full, refer to the link below:
Updated immunisation recommendations for those with asplenia or hyposplenia
Following a change in the recommendation for booster doses of meningococcal B and ACWY vaccines for those at increased risk of invasive meningococcal disease, MVEC have updated their guidance on the immunisation of people with asplenia or hyposplenia.
The spleen plays an important role in preventing infection by removing bacteria (particularly encapsulated bacteria) from the blood stream. Individuals with anatomical asplenia or hyposplenia are therefore at an increased risk of infection. In addition to being up to date with National Immunisation Program (NIP) and COVID-19 vaccines, individuals with asplenia or hyposplenia are recommended and funded to receive extra vaccines.
To view these recommendations please refer to MVEC: Asplenia and hyposplenia
HPV schedule changes from February 2023
Following the review of a large volume of international evidence, ATAGI have recommended that a single dose of Gardasil®9 (human papillomavirus vaccine) provides comparable protection in immune competent individuals compared with a 2 dose course. This recommendation is in line advice from the World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) and the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination Immunisation (JCVI).
As a result, from February 6 2023, the National Immunisation program (NIP) moved to a single dose only Gardasil®9 schedule for immune competent adolescents aged 12-13 years. Individuals who have previously received 1 dose only and are waiting to receive their second dose no longer need to receive this dose, and are considered up to date. The Gardasil®9 catch-up program has also changed to a single dose only and has been extended to all individuals up 25 years and under.
Immunocompromised individuals are still recommended to receive a 3 dose course of vaccination to ensure optimum protection.
Rotarix® dosing administration wheel - discrepancy in date estimates
Errors in date estimates have been reported when administering Rotarix® vaccines based upon the GSK dosing wheel.
It is important to be aware that there has been no impact on the quality, safety or effectiveness of Rotarix® vaccines and these should continue to be provided to patients as per National Immunisation Program (NIP) recommendations. A 2 dose course is recommended for infants, noting that the first dose of Rotarix® should be administered between 6-14 weeks of age (before turning 15 weeks of age) and the second dose between 10-24 weeks of age (before turning 25 weeks).
GSK have recommended that providers stop using the administration wheel to calculate due dates, discard any copies in their possession and revert to manual calculation of due dates. An updated version of the wheel will be created in 2023.
Updated immunisation reference page: Mpox
Mpox (monkeypox) is a viral zoonosis (an infection spread from animals to humans) caused by a virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus (which also causes the variola virus responsible for smallpox disease and the vaccinia virus, which is used in smallpox vaccines). Since the eradication of smallpox in 1980, mpox has become the most important orthopoxvirus affecting humans, however, causes less severe disease than smallpox.
Increasing numbers of Mpox have been reported globally over the last 2 years, with 141 confirmed or probable cases identified in Australia as of November 2022. Vaccination is currently recommended for individuals identified at highest risk of exposure and severe disease.
Our immunisation reference page has recently been updated to include:
- intradermal administration recommendations
- changes in terminology for pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis.
To view the updated page in full, refer to the link below:
Updated Myocarditis, pericarditis and COVID-19 vaccines animation
MVEC’s Myocarditis, pericarditis and COVID-19 vaccines animation has been updated following the most recent changes to the guidance on myocarditis and pericarditis associated with COVID-19 vaccination.
This update reflects ATAGI’s recent advice which has identified that all of the COVID-19 vaccines available within Australia (including non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) carry a small increased risk of myocarditis or pericarditis occurring following vaccination.
To view the updated animation, follow the link below to our reference page:
MVEC: Myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccines
MVEC holiday period closure
On behalf of the MVEC Team, we wish you a very happy and safe holiday season with your loved ones.
Our team will be taking a break and will return in February to provide you with more vaccine education, resources and events in 2023. We'd love to hear from you if there are any specific vaccine topics you would like to see covered next year!
We also want to say a huge thank you to all our amazing collaborators who have kindly shared their expert knowledge across a number of important vaccine topics and across all of the MVEC platforms this year!
If you’re travelling this holiday season, stay safe, make sure your vaccines are up to date and pack your sunscreen and insect repellent!
Updated immunisation reference page: Vaccine administration
Most vaccines available for use in Australia are administered via intramuscular or subcutaneous route, with several being administered intradermally or orally. Administering vaccines via the recommended route and using correct technique is of paramount importance to ensure optimal immune response, minimise side effects and reduce the risk of injury to the patient.
Our Administration of injected vaccines – correct technique reference page has recently been updated and renamed Vaccine administration to include information on injectable and oral routes of vaccine administration. The Vaccine administration page also incorporates information previously found on the Intradermal immunisation reference page.
To view the updated page in full, follow the link below:
Updated immunisation reference page: Measles
Measles is a highly contagious illness caused by the measles virus of the Morbillivirus family.
Infection is characterised by 3-4 days of fever, malaise, cough, coryza and conjunctivitis. A maculopapular rash then develops lasting up to 7 days. Complications of measles infections can include pneumonia, otitis media and encephalitis, which carries a mortality rate of 10-15%.
Sub-acute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare progressive neurological disorder that can develop 2-10 years after an initial measles infection and is fatal in all cases.
Our measles reference page has recently been updated to include information on measles prevention, precautions and contraindications to vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis.
To view the updated page, refer to the link below:
National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week 2022
Almost all cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. Most HPV infections are preventable through vaccination, with the HPV vaccine preventing 93% of cervical cancers.
National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week is taking place from 7 – 13 November and provides a strong platform to raise continued awareness of cervical cancer and unite Australians to take action to help Australia make cervical cancer history.
HPV vaccines are fully funded for all students in year 7 (or age-equivalent) through the high school immunisation program; however, any missed doses can be obtained at your GP, pharmacy or local council.
For more information visit our Human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation reference page.