The Conversation: COVID-19 vaccines for the youngest children may be inching closer to authorization – a pediatrician explains how they’re being tested
COVID-19 vaccines offer safe and effective protection against severe disease and are strongly recommended for everyone over the age of 5 years. While children often experience milder symptoms of disease than adults, US data obtained during the Omicron surge in cases shows a significant spike in the rates of hospitalisation in children under 5.
This article explores the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in children of different age groups, the safety and efficacy considerations for vaccinating children under 5, and an approximate timeline for next steps regarding this cohort.
To read the article in full, please click on the link below.
ATAGI statement on use of booster doses in adolescents aged 12-15 years
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released a statement on booster doses in adolescents aged 12-15 years.
Following their review of evidence on the benefits and risks of a booster dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents in Australia aged 12-15 years, ATAGI does not recommend that adolescents aged 12-15 years need to receive a booster dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and will continue to review international evidence on efficacy of a booster in this age group.
ATAGI continue to strongly recommend vaccination of all young people aged 5 to 15 years with 2 primary doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, including those who may have previously had COVID-19. 3 primary doses are recommended for those in this age group who are severely immunocompromised.
For more information please refer to the link below:
ATAGI statement on use of booster doses in adolescents aged 12-15 years
Science: Pandemic propels global effort to study rare vaccine side effects
The Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN) is the largest ever vaccine safety project involving more than 20 countries and data from more than 250 million people vaccinated against COVID-19.
It aims to investigate and understand rare vaccine side effects such as myocarditis, thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome and Guillain-Barre Syndrome following COVID-19 vaccination which may lead to the prediction, treatment and prevention of side effects.
The following article discusses the importance of globalising vaccine safety research through international collaboration to improve vaccine safety.
To read more, please click on the link below.
Science: Pandemic propels global effort to study rare vaccine side effects
New immunisation reference page: Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a rare but potentially life-threatening acute illness. It is caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae and is characterised by a pseudo-membrane forming over the pharangeal area resulting in pain, inflammation, difficulty swallowing and a hoarse voice. In instances where the pseudo-membrane dislodges, the airway can become obstructed.
Our new reference page outlines the signs and symptoms of diphtheria, as well as the vaccines available for disease prevention.
To read more follow the link below:
MVEC: Diphtheria
ATAGI advice on use of sedation for COVID-19 vaccination
ATAGI has provided guidance regarding the use of sedation in individuals with anxiety disorders, needle phobia or behavioural disorders, to assist vaccine providers in delivering COVID-19 vaccines.
The advice outlines:
- indications for sedation
- safety implications of delivering vaccines under sedation
- procedural sedation guidelines
- post-vaccination observation recommendations
- opportunistic vaccination during sedation for an unrelated procedure
To read the ATAGI recommendations in full, please click on the link below:
ATAGI advice on use of sedation for COVID-19 vaccination
For further information on strategies to manage needle phobia and immunisation, including sedation, please click on the link below:
MVEC: Needle phobia
Registrations now open for the April CVU mini event
MVEC's first Clinical Vaccinology Update (CVU) miniseries event of the year on Winter preparedness: COVID-19 and influenza will be held virtually on Thursday 28th April 2022. This CVU mini will provide an update on:
- COVID-19 vaccines: keeping up-to-date
- Winter COVID-19 booster dose and flu administration for the elderly
- Influenza: a post COVID-19 landscape
Further details can be found via our Events page and the link below:
Moderna: COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 2/3 Study in Children 6 Months to ≤ 6 Years successfully meets its primary endpoint
Moderna has announced interim data from the Phase 2/3 KidCOVE COVID-19 vaccine study ahead of its submission to global regulatory bodies.
Approximately 4,200 children aged 2 to <6 years and 2,500 children aged 6 months to <2 years were recruited across the U.S. and Canada with participants receiving 2 doses of 25 μg, 28 days apart (a lower dose compared with older age groups).
Moderna reports immunogenicity consistent with that seen in adults (18-25 years) receiving doses of 100mcg with a vaccine efficacy of 43.7% in those aged 6 months to <2 years and 37.5% in those aged 2 to <6 years. Omicron was the predominant COVID-19 strain circulating during this trial.
Adverse events following vaccination were reported as mild or moderate and more frequently associated with dose two. No deaths, myocarditis, pericarditis, or cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) were reported. Independent safety monitoring will continue for 12 months following the second dose.
To read the press release in full, please click on the link below:
COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 2/3 Study in Children 6 Months to ≤ 6 Years successfully meets its primary endpoint
ATAGI clinical guidance on Japanese encephalitis virus vaccines
ATAGI have released new guidance for healthcare providers regarding the administration of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccines. These recommendations follow on from earlier advice from CDNA identifying the groups at highest risk of disease and who should be prioritised for vaccination.
The guidance includes:
- vaccine brand and dosing recommendations
- priority populations
- advice for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- booster doses
- co-administration with other vaccines
- common and expected side effects following vaccination
To read the ATAGI recommendations in full, please click on the link below:
ATAGI clinical guidance on Japanese encephalitis virus vaccines
For further information on JEV, including background on disease and common vaccine questions, please click on the link below:
MVEC: JEV
Updated immunisation reference page: Rotavirus
MVEC's Rotavirus immunisation reference page has been updated with further information on:
- rotavirus disease
- vaccine dosing schedules and age limits
- common and rarer side effects, as well as their management
- precautions and contraindications to vaccination.
To view the page in full, follow the link below:
ATAGI statement on recommendations on a winter booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine
As part of winter preparedness, ATAGI have provided recommendations for an additional COVID-19 vaccine winter booster dose for select groups who have been identified as being at highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease. These groups include:
- individuals aged ≥ 65 years
- residents of aged care or disability care facilities
- individuals aged ≥ 16 years with severe immunocompromise
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged ≥ 50 years.
The rollout of winter booster doses will commence from April in line with the 2022 influenza vaccination program, with both vaccines able to be co-administered where appropriate. Winter booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines can be administered from ≥ 4 months since the previous booster dose/confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (whichever is later).
mRNA vaccines (Comirnaty (Pfizer) or Spikevax (Moderna)) remain the recommended brands for use as booster doses, with Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) available for those who have a contraindication to mRNA vaccines. Nuvaxovid (Novavax) may be used in circumstances where no other vaccine brand is deemed suitable.
ATAGI suggests that there is currently insufficient evidence at this time to support a recommendation for additional boosters for other individuals. For these groups, protection from a primary course of COVID-19 vaccine followed by 1 booster dose continues to provide good protection against hospitalisation with COVID-19 disease. Further recommendations may be considered in the future as more evidence emerges.
To read the advice in full please follow the link below.
ATAGI statement on recommendations on a winter booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine