WHO: 2021 has been tumultuous but we know how to end the pandemic and promote health for all in 2022
In 2021, the global health system faced significant challenges perpetuated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Proving that when health is at risk, everything is at risk. However, there have still been medical breakthroughs and progress including new COVID-19 treatments, the introduction of the world’s first malaria vaccine and the near eradication of polio disease.
The year 2022 brings a hopeful glimpse to end the COVID-19 pandemic, through countries working together, pushing for greater vaccine equity to reach a 70% global vaccination rate.
In this article, the WHO reflects on the challenges and triumphs of the global health system throughout 2021 and outlines some positive opportunities for the coming new year.
To read the full article, follow the link below.
2021 has been tumultuous but we know how to end the pandemic and promote health for all in 2022
CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Children Aged 5-11 Years November 3 – December 19 2021
Following the administration of approximately 8 million Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses in children between the ages of 5 to 11 years, local and systemic reactions were closely monitored and assessed. The incoming data was reported to VAERS and v-safe, the national passive vaccine safety surveillance system, jointly managed by the CDC and FDA. During the span of 3 November to 19 December, 4,249 reports were submitted, of which 97% were for nonserious adverse events.
For the most recent clinical data regarding the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 years, read the full VAERS report.
COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Children Aged 5-11 Years November 3 – December 19 2021
ATAGI Statement on the Omicron variant and the timing of COVID-19 booster vaccination
In response to the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 disease and it's community transmission within Australia, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has updated recommendations for the timing of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses.
These updated recommendations are based on strong evidence indicating that booster doses are likely to increase protection against infection with the Omicron variant, as well as reassuring international data on the safety of administering early booster doses.
These recommendations include:
- all adults (≥ 18 years) should receive a single booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine
- booster doses can be administered as early as 3 months following the completion of a primary course
- timely booster doses for pregnant women is recommended
- immunocompromised individuals who have received a 3-dose primary course should also receive a booster dose 3 months after the date of their 3rd dose
- Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna) are the preferred brands for booster doses. Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) can be used as a booster dose for individuals with a contraindication to receiving Comirnaty or Spikevax.
ATAGI also encourages anyone aged 12 years or older who is unvaccinated to receive COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible.
To read the latest update in full please refer to
ATAGI Statement on the Omicron variant and the timing of COVID-19 booster vaccination
European Commission authorises fifth safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19
Nuvaxovid, a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Novavax, has become the fifth COVID-19 vaccine authorised for use in the European Union (EU). Following rigorous safety, efficacy and quality testing by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the European Commissions has granted a conditional marketing authorization (CMA) of the vaccine for its perceived benefits in providing protection against severe COVID-19 disease.
To read the full statement, follow the link below:
European Commission authorises fifth safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19
Pfizer and BioNTech provide update on ongoing studies of COVID-19 vaccine
Following a routine review examining the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer-BioNTech by the external Independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC), data has demonstrated that whilst there were no safety concerns, immunogenicity of a two dose primary course consisting of 3µg doses in the 6 to 24 month-old cohort was met with non-inferiority, but not in the 2 - 5 year old group.
The company has also announced that it will resume studies evaluating a third 3µg dose of COVID-19 vaccine in children 6 months to under 5 years of age in order to select the right dose to maximise the risk-benefit profile in this age group.
For further information on this study and its findings, follow the link below:
Pfizer and BioNTech provide update on ongoing studies of COVID-19 vaccine
The Sydney Morning Herald: Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster dose ‘appears protective against Omicron’
Following laboratory testing, data shows that whilst a two-dose primary course of the Spikevax (Moderna) vaccine resulted in a low generation of neutralising antibodies against the Omicron variant, a booster dose provided a 37-fold increase in neutralising antibodies.
For more information on these findings refer to the full article via the link below:
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster dose ‘appears protective against Omicron’
Raising Children Network - COVID-19 vaccination and children: 5-11 years
Immunising children against COVID-19 ensures stronger, longer-lasting protection than infection does. To build the best immunity, ATAGI recommends that children aged 5 to 11 years should have a 2 dose primary course of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, 8 weeks apart.
This Raising Children article developed in collaboration with MVEC explores the safety, efficacy and recommendations for immunising children aged 5 to 11 years against COVID-19.
To read the full article, follow the link below:
COVID-19 vaccination and children: 5-11 years
Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommendations on the use of Spikevax (Moderna) as a COVID-19 booster vaccine
Following recent approval from the TGA, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have recommended the use of Spikevax (Moderna) as a COVID-19 booster vaccine for people aged 18 years and older (including pregnant women), who have completed their primary course of COVID-19 vaccine 5 or more months ago. The booster dose is half the recommended dose of the Spikevax vaccine used for the primary course.
ATAGI notes that Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are equally acceptable for use as booster vaccines in Australia in the eligible population.
To read ATAGI's full statement on the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine as a booster follow the link below:
Updated ATAGI advice on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines in 2021 (December 2021)
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released updated advice for influenza vaccination in 2021.
Due to international borders reopening from November 2021, and greater population movement, seasonal influenza virus is expected to emerge and circulate in Australia outside of the usual influenza season.
Influenza vaccination is recommended for anyone aged 6 months and over who has not had an influenza vaccine this year. In particular, it is strongly recommended for those in higher risk groups.
To read the advice in full, please click on the link below:
Updated ATAGI advice on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines in 2021 (December 2021)
ATAGI recommendations on Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine use in children aged 5 to 11 years
A new formulation of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty) has been provisionally approved for use in children aged 5-11 years by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. This approval is based on the results of a recent clinical trial demonstrating that the vaccine is highly effective and that most side effects are mild and transient. ATAGI notes that real-world evidence on the safety of this vaccine in children aged 5-11 years is rapidly accumulating overseas, including data on the low rate of rare adverse events following immunisation, notably myocarditis, which the clinical trial was insufficiently powered to assess.
The recommended dose for this age group is 10µg (0.2mL), a third of the recommended 30µg dose for people aged ≥12 years.
ATAGI’s recommendations take into account:
- The direct benefits of vaccination for the child in preventing illness;
- The indirect benefits of vaccination for the child, their family and for the broader community. To realise some of these benefits, a large proportion of the 5-11 year age group would need to be vaccinated;
- Adequate supply of the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be available to vaccinate all 5-11-year-old children.
To read the recommendations in full, please click on the link below:
ATAGI recommendations on Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine use in children aged 5 to 11 years