Asia-Pacific vaccine research seminar series: Tuberculosis webinar
A free webinar on the topic ‘Why do we need a new tuberculosis vaccine’ will be held today, 27 July 2023 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
The webinar is chaired by Professors Steve Graham and Fiona Russell, and features speakers Dr Trisasi Lestari, Professor Nigel Curtis and Professor Jamie Triccas.
Find more details about the webinar and access to the zoom link on the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute event page.
The dangers of vaccine misinformation: Robert F Kennedy Jr
Recently, you may have read about Robert F Kennedy Jr’s anti-vaccine views after he was featured on Joe Rogan’s podcast. Robert F Kennedy Jr is a long-time promoter of vaccine misinformation.
A recent report from the MSNBC news network in the United States demonstrates the real-world dangers of vaccine misinformation.
The report examines how the 2019 measles epidemic in Samoa was linked to Robert F Kennedy’s statements on the measles vaccine. Robert F Kennedy Jr's anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense bolstered a local Samoan anti-vaccine movement which had emerged in response to the 2018 deaths of two children after vaccine administration errors. The anti-vaccine movement misrepresented the vaccine itself as the cause of death, leading to a significant decrease in vaccination rates.
Not only did vaccine misinformation contribute to the devastating measles epidemic, but it also overshadowed important discussions relating to vaccine errors.
Nurse and educator Jessica Stokes-Parish has written Vaccine Concerns & SciComm: An Analysis about the scientific community’s reaction to Robert F Kennedy Jr. From a science communications lens, she analyses some common strategies that may be intended to discredit misinformation but fail to engage and educate the general public.
Department of Health and Aged Care: Vaccination for Our Mob
Based on National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) data, the Vaccination for Our Mob report has recently been published. The report focuses on vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccine coverage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 2016 to 2019.
Reminder: Victorian Government funded pertussis program has ended
As of 1 July 2023, the Victorian Government funded pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination program, for partners of pregnant women and guardians of infants, is no longer running.
Partners of pregnant women and close household contacts of newborn infants are still encouraged to be vaccinated and can access a pertussis-containing vaccine privately.
Pregnant women, between 20 and 32 weeks, remain eligible for a funded pertussis vaccine through the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
NIP change: New vaccine Vaxelis® available
From 1 July 2023, Vaxelis® has been added to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule.
Vaxelis® is a hexavalent (six-in-one) vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis and haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib). Vaxelis® is an alternative to Infanrix® hexa, for primary vaccination at 6 weeks, 4 months and 6 months. It can also be used for catch-up vaccination in children under 10 years of age. There is no preferred vaccine between the two options and both have a similar safety profile.
Vaxelis® is a single-dose 0.5 mL pre-filled syringe and, unlike Infanrix® hexa, does not require reconstitution. Vaxelis® has a whiteish, cloudy appearance.
Completing a primary course of vaccination with the same brand of hexavalent vaccine is preferred. However, where this is not possible the alternate brand may be used.
Vaxelis® can be given on the same day as other vaccines and can be administered in the same limb as other vaccines. Where more than one vaccine is administered into the same limb, a spacing of 2.5 cm should be maintained.
NIP change: Bexsero® catch-up ongoing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children under 2
From 1 July 2023, the National Immunisation Program (NIP) meningococcal B catch-up program, originally planned to cease on 30 June 2023, is ongoing.
Meningococcal is a rare but potentially life-threatening infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. People with invasive meningococcal disease can become extremely unwell very quickly.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are funded to receive the meningococcal B vaccine Bexsero® at 2, 4 and 12 months (with an additional dose at 6 months for those with medical risk factors). The catch-up program enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to receive their first dose of Bexsero® up until they turn 2 years old. (As long as the first dose is received < 2, the complete course is funded even if subsequent doses are administered once the child is 2 or older.)
NCIRS: Influenza vaccination coverage data
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) is currently publishing weekly updates on influenza vaccine coverage in Australia.
The data shows state and national coverage rates for different age groups and highlights influenza vaccine coverage in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians.
As of this week, 21.7% of all children aged 6 months to less than 5 years are vaccinated and 60.4% of people aged 65 and over are vaccinated. Each of these age groups is considered high risk and is eligible for funded influenza vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
Funded vaccines are also available for all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people 6 months and older, pregnant women and people aged over 6 months with certain medical risk factors. More information can be found on our influenza reference page.
NCIRS: Influenza coverage data
MVEC on Instagram: Ask a vaccine expert
MVEC has recently started a new series of videos on social media: Ask a vaccine expert.
In addition to sharing information on our website and newsletter, MVEC regularly posts vaccine information on Instagram and Twitter @mvecau and our Facebook page Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre – MVEC.
Our new series of short videos features different vaccine experts responding to questions sent in by our followers. For example, MVEC director Prof Nigel Crawford recently answered audience questions on COVID-19 vaccines. To watch these videos and send in your own questions, follow our Instagram page.
In addition to short videos, our social media pages offer easy-to-read explanations and summaries on a range of vaccine-related topics, highlight interesting news articles and provide relevant updates from trusted sources.
New immunisation reference page: RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of respiratory tract infections in young children. There are currently no RSV vaccines registered for use in Australia. However, there are many vaccines under development in clinical trials.
MVEC has recently published an RSV reference page which includes information on symptoms, transmission and prevention.
MVEC: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Updated immunisation reference page: Epilepsy and immunisation
We have recently updated our Epilepsy and immunisation reference page.
The updated page includes the most recent recommendations for immunisation of children with Dravet syndrome and other children with vaccine-proximate seizures.
Updated – MVEC: Epilepsy and immunisation