The Age: ‘The moment you walk in through those doors your healing starts’: Victoria leading the race on Indigenous vaccination
Data released by the federal government has highlighted the widening gap between fully vaccinated Indigenous Australians and the overall population, and the direct impact COVID-19 will have on First Nations people if Australia eases restrictions once 70 or 80 per cent of adults are vaccinated.
Historically, Australia’s Aboriginal community has been heavily impacted by the effects of widespread viral infections such as measles, smallpox and the Spanish Flu and this article highlights the impact low COVID-19 vaccination rates could have on our First Nations people.
Despite the slow rollout, Victoria is leading the way in terms of vaccination rates amongst the Indigenous population with 43% of people fully vaccinated against COVID-19, more than double that of the non-Indigenous population in Victoria at 26%.
According to Jeroen Weimar, the COVID-19 response commander in Victoria, the states’ success with facilitating a competent roll out initiative amongst the Indigenous communities can be attributed to joint efforts and strong partnerships.
To read the article in full, please click on the link below.
The Age: ‘The moment you walk in through those doors your healing starts’: Victoria leading the race on Indigenous vaccination
WHO: Safety profile of nOPV2 vaccine
In an attempt to implement a global eradication initiative of the polio virus, the first type 2 novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2) became the first vaccine to be authorised for use under the WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) apparatus. However, the current nOPV2 vaccine presents an increased risk of type 2 circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV2), especially in communities with low immunization rates. African countries continue to be amongst the most impacted by this potentially lethal virus. Consequentially, the use of the nOPV2 is currently restricted and SAGE recommended that an independent safety monitoring group be established (GACVS) and maintain thorough safety observations during the entire period of the EUL.
Under the current EUL, there is a 2 phase roll out of the nOPV2 vaccine. With phase 1, countries must first meet stringent initial use criteria and verification requirements including continuous flaccid paralysis (AFP) monitoring to attain approval for use. Following this, phase 2 supports the use of the nOPV2 vaccine as a standard response for cVDPV2 outbreaks.
Following rigorous safety criteria, as of 9 June 2021, 7 countries have received approval for use authorisation of the nOPV2 vaccine and 25 countries are still pending. Majority of the nOPV2 doses thus far have been administered in Nigeria (17 899 130) and Liberia (853 279) amongst children 5 years of age and under in the form of two oral vaccine drops. GACVS is working closely with the Liberian and Nigerian governments to implement AESI surveillance and ongoing AFP data to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing polio infection. Current preliminary data analysis did not indicate elevated safety issues associated with the nOPV2 vaccine, however GACVS members have stressed that prolonged, comprehensive surveillance is imperative to signal imminent safety concerns.
To read the extract in full, please click on the link below:
WHO: Safety profile of nOPV2 vaccine
ABC News US: FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine not OK for off-label use in kids, official says
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued advice following full approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 16 an older that it should not be given to young children as off-label use.
Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine was authorised for use in children ages 12 to 15 in May by the FDA, meeting all the criteria to amend the EUA and with 100% effectiveness in children ages 12-15. Additionally, the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are both available in the U.S. for anyone 18 years and older, with Moderna still awaiting a decision for approval on emergency use authorisation with the FDA.
Pfizer vaccine safety data on 5–11-year-olds is due to be submitted by the end of September, with Moderna due to report in the middle of fall. Clinical trials are still ongoing, however, it is expected that the first vaccine shots for children ages 5-11 could happen by the end of 2021, or early 2022. In order to detect the rarest of side-effects before the roll out begins across the U.S., the FDA have advised that the trials will need to expand the pool of volunteers.
To read the article in full, please click on the link below
ABC News US: FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine not OK for off-label use in kids, official says
MVEC animation: Myocarditis, pericarditis and COVID-19 vaccines
MVEC have created a new animation to help explain myocarditis and pericarditis which have been reported in a small number of individuals who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines Comirnaty™ and Moderna.
To view the animation and to find out more information, please refer to our myocarditis, pericarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines immunisation reference page:
MVEC animation: Myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines
Federal Government Announces No Fault COVID-19 Indemnity Scheme
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced the details of the no fault COVID-19 Vaccine Claim Scheme following extensive consultation with the peak medical, healthcare, business and insurance sectors to ensure a comprehensive National Scheme.
The purpose of the Scheme will be to provide Australians with quick access to compensation for COVID-19 claims related to the administration of a Therapeutic Goods Administration approved COVID-19 vaccine delivered through a Commonwealth Government approved program.
From 6 September Australians who suffer injury and loss of income due to their COVID-19 vaccine will be able to register their intent to claim from the COVID-19 vaccine claims scheme webpage.
To read more, follow the link below:
Federal Government Announcement: No Fault COVID-19 Indemnity Scheme
ATAGI recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in all young adolescents in Australia
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in all young adolescents in Australia.
The advice recommends children aged 12-15 be vaccinated against COVID-19 using Comirnaty (Pfizer).
A summary of ATAGI recommendations includes:
- Vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended for all individuals from 12 years of age, extending the current recommendation for those aged 16 years and older.
- A two-dose schedule using Comirnaty (Pfizer), the only vaccine currently registered for use in Australia in this age group, is recommended.
- Recommendations on the use of Spikevax (Moderna) for adolescents will be finalised following the decision on provisional registration of Spikevax (Moderna) in this age group.
To read the statement in full, please click the link below:
ATAGI recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in all young adolescents in Australia
MCRI's Professor Fiona Russell joins ABC Q+A host, Virgina Trioli tonight at 8:30pm AEST
MCRI's Professor Fiona Russell joins ABC Q+A host, Virginia Trioli, tonight at 8:30pm AEST for an important discussion around the COVID-19 Delta variant, lockdowns and their impact on children, teens and young people.
For more details, please click on the link below:
ABC Q+A
CVU mini event 30th August 2021 - Reminder to register
A reminder to register for our next Clinical Vaccinology Update (CVU) mini event: Matters of the heart: Myocarditis and pericarditis associated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccination on Monday 30th August 2021, at 7pm AEST.
To view the full program and to register for this event, please visit our Events page.
A recording of Matters of the heart: Myocarditis and pericarditis associated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccination will be available on our Education Portal following the event.
Independent: 'A potential first step forward’: Moderna to launch human trials for new HIV vaccines
A positive development in the immunisation space as American biotech company, Moderna is prepared to commence human trials for their new HIV vaccines.
The company will apply the same mRNA technology they successfully used against the COVID-19 virus, hoping to break new grounds fighting another deadly disease. This turning point has been described as a “potential first step forward” in protecting people from becoming infected with HIV. However, due to the elevated complexity of the HIV virus, scientists warn there is still a long way to go before mRNA technology can be used to provide long-lasting protection.
The aim of the Moderna mRNA vaccines is to prompt an immune response by introducing broadly neutralising antibodies. It is believed that multiple vaccines will be required to overcome key challenges and generate a sufficient response. Moderna is set to recruit 56 healthy people between the ages of 18 to 50 years of age to participate in their phase 1 trial which is anticipated to run until May 2023.
To read the article in full, please click on the link below:
Independent: 'A potential first step forward’: Moderna to launch human trials for new HIV vaccines
People aged 16 - 39 in a priority group now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine
The Australian Government has expanded the vaccine eligibility criteria to allow people aged 16-39 in a priority group to receive the Pfizer vaccine.
To learn more about eligibility for 16 to 39 year-olds in the COVID-19 vaccination program, please click on the link below.
The Australian Government COVID-19 vaccination program for 16 to 39 year olds.