Updated immunisation reference page – Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) is a rare but serious complication following suspected inadvertent administration of a vaccine too high in the deltoid or into the shoulder joint. It can cause a local inflammatory response and potential trauma to local structures within the shoulder joint with symptoms lasting for weeks, months or even years.
Our reference page has recently been updated to detail:
- symptoms/features of SIRVA
- impacts and implications
- diagnosis and treatment options
- how to prevent SIRVA
- where to report a case of SIRVA.
To view the page in full, follow the link below:
MVEC: Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)
Updated immunisation reference page: Myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccines
MVEC’s myocarditis and pericarditis reference page has been updated following the recent changes to the guidance on myocarditis and pericarditis associated with COVID-19 vaccination.
This update is reflective of 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 page in full, follow the link below:
MVEC: Myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccines
Updated immunisation reference page - Pharmacist immunisers
Our pharmacist immuniser reference page has recently been updated to incorporate the expansion of the pharmacist immuniser program allowing accredited pharmacist providers to administer additional vaccines to more people.
Pharmacist immunisers that have completed a recognised ‘Immuniser program of study’, are now authorised to administer the following vaccines in Victoria:
- human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to those aged 12 years and older
- pneumococcal vaccines to people aged 50 years and older
- herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine to people aged 50 years and older
- monkeypox vaccines to patients recommended for vaccination aged five years and older.
In addition to this, pharmacist immunisers are now able to administer the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) vaccine to anyone aged 12 years or older (previously only to those from 15 years of age).
To view the page in full, follow the link below:
New immunisation reference page: Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and immunisation
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition that most commonly affects teens and young adults and involves a cluster of symptoms including increased heart rate (tachycardia), dizziness, weakness, vision changes, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances or nausea.
No link has been found between vaccination and POTS and a diagnosis of POTS is not a contraindication to receiving vaccinations. In fact, some cases of POTS are thought to occur following an acute infection, some of which are vaccine-preventable.
Vaccination is an important way to stay healthy and protected against disease. Any concerns an individual with POTS has regarding immunisation should be discussed with an individual’s treating healthcare practitioner.
Our new reference page outlines what POTS is and the implications of having POTS on immunisation.
For further information, click on the link below:
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and immunisation
New immunisation reference page: Polio
Polio (poliomyelitis) is caused by a gastrointestinal (gut) infection with one of 3 types of polioviruses (serotypes 1, 2 or 3). Polioviruses are RNA enteroviruses from the Picornaviridae family.
Approximately 70% of polio infections are asymptomatic or present as a non-specific febrile illness. It is estimated that flaccid paralysis occurs in less than 1 percent of all polio cases.
Our new reference page details transmission routes, epidemiology and it's prevention through vaccination.
To view the page in full follow the below link:
Updated immunisation reference page: Vaccine-associated enhanced disease (VAED)
Vaccine-associated enhanced disease (VAED) is a rare phenomenon in which a (usually) more severe clinical presentation of an infection that would normally be seen in an unvaccinated person occurs in someone who has been vaccinated.
MVEC’s reference page on VAED has recently been updated. This resource outlines:
- what VAED is
- mechanisms for enhanced disease
- assessment and evaluation of VAED
To view the page in full, follow the link below:
MVEC: Vaccine-associated enhanced disease (VAED)
Vaccines Work GAVI: Five charts on monkeypox, past and present
Despite the first cases of monkeypox infection in humans being reported in the 1970’s, previous outbreaks of disease have been relatively small compared with the international outbreak we are currently experiencing. Human to human transmission has been historically uncommon with cases limited to smaller geographical regions. Current rates of infection, with extensive human to human transmission and wide global spread has led this outbreak to be a very unique scenario.
The following article uses the latest data to explore the current rates of infection across different demographics and regions, the impact of pre-existing medical conditions, as well as vaccine access and severity of disease.
To read the article in full, click on the link below.
Vaccines Work GAVI: Five charts on monkeypox, past and present
To view our reference page on monkeypox, click on the link below.
MVEC: Monkeypox
Updated MVEC immunisation reference page: COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescent page
MVEC’s COVID-19 vaccination in children and the adolescent reference page has been updated to include the current recommendations for children under 5 years of age. This resource details:
- Recommended COVID-19 vaccine schedule information for children and adolescents aged ≥ 6 months
- Information on the efficacy and side effects of COVID-19 vaccination in the paediatric population
- Links to current ATAGI COVID-19 vaccine recommendations in the various paediatric and adolescent age groups
To view the page in full, follow the link below:
MVEC: COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescents
New immunisation reference page – Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (an infection spread from animals to humans). It is 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, monkeypox has become the most important orthopoxvirus affecting humans, however, causes less severe disease than smallpox.
The incubation period of monkeypox is usually 7-14 days, with initial symptoms of monkeypox including fever, headache, backache and muscle aches, fatigue and lymphadenopathy. Historically, smallpox vaccines have been used in the prevention of smallpox infection, however, they are also likely to be effective against monkeypox.
There are two types of smallpox vaccines registered for use in Australia for the prevention of monkeypox, ACAM2000™ and JYNNEOS®.
Our new reference page outlines symptoms, transmission routes, epidemiology, current vaccine recommendations and links to the latest resources.
For further information, click on the link below:
MVEC: Monkeypox
Updated MVEC immunisation reference page: Travel medicine
Travel medicine focuses on disease prevention and injury risk minimisation for anyone travelling internationally. Recommendations can be based upon the travelling person’s individual circumstances such as the location and purpose of travel, duration and time of year of travel, as well as any underlying medical conditions or other risk factors.
MVEC’s reference page on Travel medicine has recently been updated. This resource outlines:
- where to get travel advice and when to seek advice
- vaccines for travellers
- immunocompromised and pregnant travellers
- advice for visiting friends and relatives (VFR).
To view the page in full, follow the link below:
MVEC: Travel medicine