NCIRS: Navigating vaccination for immunocompromised patients (webinar)
This month, the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) will host webinar on vaccination in people with immunocompromise.
Date: Wednesday 25 June
Time: 12:00–1:15 pm AEST
For more information and to register, visit the webinar event page.
MVEC recently held a webinar on immunisation and special risk groups which featured Prof Nigel Crawford and A/Prof Ben Teh; a recording of this event will soon be uploaded to our Education Portal, exclusively available to users with a paid membership.
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
Register now: CVU mini on immunisation and special risk groups
MVEC’s upcoming webinar on immunisation and special risk groups is now open for registration. Healthcare professionals will have the opportunity to hear from Prof Nigel Crawford and A/Prof Benjamin Teh, followed by a brief Q&A session.
Date: Wednesday 4 June 2025
Time: 6:00–7:00 pm AEST
Location: online
Registration fee: free event (after the webinar, a recording will be exclusively available to Education Portal users with a paid membership)
Register via MVEC’s Education Portal now!
NB: You will need an Education Portal profile to register for this event, but you do not need a paid membership unless you would like to access the webinar recording.
Immunisation Coalition: 2025 Pneumococcal Webinar
The Immunisation Coalition will host its 2025 pneumococcal webinar on 25 June. Moderated by Dr Andrew Bird, the webinar will feature Angela Newbound.
Date: 25 June 2025
Time: 6:00–7:00 pm (AEST)
Learn more and register on the Immunisation Coalition event page.
Immunisation Coalition webinar: MenB vaccination through general practice
The Immunisation Coalition is holding a webinar on meningococcal disease, with a focus on menB vaccination, and participation in a GP practice clinical audit. Chaired by A/Prof Roy Rasalam, the session features Prof Robert Booy, Dr Leanne Jones and Ms Sonja Elia.
Date: 24 June 2025
Time: 6:30–7:30 pm (AEST)
Learn more and register on the Immunisation Coalition event page.
Benchmarque: eLearning modules on RSV protection for infants
Benchmarque Group has developed free modules on RSV protection for infants, aimed at providing participants with a baseline understanding of RSV information and an understanding of safe storage, preparation and administration of nirsevimab.
The courses are available on the Benchmarque Group website.
Learn more about RSV at MVEC: RSV
ABC: Australia's childhood vaccination rates are declining, sparking fears about risk to herd immunity
The ABC reports childhood vaccination rates have steadily declined since COVID-19.
The article highlights decreases in vaccination rates overall among 2-year-old children and HPV vaccine uptake among teens. Experts and those with lived experience of vaccine-preventable disease emphasise the importance of herd protection and risks associated with disease.
Read the ABC’s full article for more information.
NCIRS: Interim coverage data for 2024
Healthed: Current measles resurgence in Victoria, nationally and internationally (podcast)
MVEC director Prof Nigel Crawford recently appeared in a Healthed podcast episode to discuss the current measles situation in Australia and internationally.
The half-hour episode covers:
- clinical features and diagnosis of measles
- managing measles in general practice
- vaccination guidelines
- public health considerations
- use of immunoglobulin for immunosuppressed patients.
Listen now via Healthed’s website (CPD available).
Learn more about measles at MVEC: Measles
Healthed: Measles cases are rising rapidly – and young travellers are at particular risk
In a recent article for Healthed, MVEC director Prof Nigel Crawford examines the recent resurgence of measles cases in Victoria.
Prof Crawford addresses special considerations for infants travelling overseas, and more.
Read the article in full via Healthed’s website (CPD available).
Learn more about measles at MVEC: Measles
Victorian Department of Health: Measles alerts continue
The Victorian Department of Health’s alert on measles continues to be updated. The latest update on 19 May 2025 includes an up-to-date list of active exposure sites in Victoria.
According to the Health Department, a significant number of recent measles cases have acquired their infection locally in Victoria. The majority of recent cases have arisen in people who have not had two documented doses of the MMR vaccine.
Read the alert in full at the department’s page Health alerts: New measles case in Victoria.
Learn more about measles disease and vaccination at MVEC: Measles
Check out MVEC director Prof Nigel Crawford’s recent Healthed article and podcast which both cover the current measles resurgence.