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.
Immunisation Coalition webinar: RSV prevention begins before birth
The Immunisation Coalition is holding a webinar on maternal RSV vaccination, aimed at updating and educating primary healthcare professionals. Chaired by Dr Rodney Pearce AM, the session features GP Dr Srimal Nawana, nurse practitioner Ms Sonja Elia and pharmacist Ms Jenny Trieu.
Date: 3 June 2025
Time: 6:30–7:30 pm (AEST)
Learn more and register on the Immunisation Coalition event page.
MVEC: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Australian Immunisation Handbook: Vaccination for special risk groups updated
The Australian Immunisation Handbook guidance about the vaccination of special risk groups was recently updated.
As of 2 May 2025, a significantly updated chapter on immunocompromise provides clear definitions and categorises the level of immunocompromise across various types of conditions. Subsections in this chapter include:
- Introduction and general principles
- Inborn errors of immunity (IEI), including primary immunodeficiency
- Secondary (acquired) immunodeficiency due to medical conditions
- Secondary (acquired) immunodeficiency due to medical therapies
- People with asplenia and hyposplenia
- Infants exposed to immunosuppressive therapy in utero or through breastmilk
- Close contacts of people who are immunocompromised
- Travellers who are immunocompromised.
The Vaccination for women who are planning pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding and Vaccination for international travellers chapters were also updated.
MVEC: Immunosuppression and vaccines
MVEC: Immunosuppression in pregnancy and infant vaccine recommendations
MVEC: Maternal vaccination
AAP FactCheck debunks more circulating vaccine misinformation
AAP FactCheck has recently assessed online claims regarding the COVID-19 and MMR vaccines.
According to the FactCheck team, a Facebook post claiming that myocarditis from COVID-19 vaccines will lead to millions of deaths is based on a misrepresentation of the Cleaveland Clinic’s information published about viral myocarditis.
Read AAP FactCheck’s full article for a detailed breakdown of why the claim is false.
Go to MVEC: COVID-19 for information about COVID-19 disease, epidemiology and vaccination.
AAP FactCheck has also deemed that claims a baby in the US developed measles from the MMR vaccine are misleading. Health authorities say there is no evidence that the vaccine caused measles in this case.
AAP FactCheck: Misinformation spreads amid measles outbreak
MVEC: Measles
Infectious IDeas: A Lifelong Champion of Vaccine Safety—Kathryn M. Edwards, MD (podcast)
Dr Kathryn Edwards is a renowned expert in childhood respiratory diseases, and vaccine safety and efficacy in the United States.
In this podcast episode, Dr Edwards shares her journey to becoming a trailblazer in paediatric infectious disease prevention. Dr Edwards discusses the importance of vaccine safety and adverse event monitoring.
Infectious IDeas: A Lifelong Champion of Vaccine Safety—Kathryn M. Edwards, MD (podcast)
Save the date: CVU mini on immunisation and special risk groups
MVEC is excited to announce our upcoming webinar on immunisation and special risk groups, the latest in our CVU mini series.
Save the date – registrations opening soon!
Date: Wednesday 4 June 2025
Location: online
Registration fee: free event
Our CVU mini event page will be updated with more details.