The Medical Journal of Australia podcast: COVID-19 in children
MVEC's Associate Professor Nigel Crawford and Dr Laila Ibrahim, paediatrician and researcher at the Royal Children's Hospital feature on the latest edition of the Medical Journal of Australia podcast.
In this podcast, Nigel and Laila discuss COVID-19 in children, to accompany their co-authored research focused on examining the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive children in Australia during 2020.
You can listen to the podcast here:
MJA Podcast: Episode 33: COVID-19 in children, with Dr Laila Ibrahim and Dr Nigel Crawford
Registrations now open for the August CVU mini event
The next Clinical Vaccinology Update (CVU) miniseries event, Matters of the heart: Myocarditis and pericarditis associated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccination, will be held virtually on Monday 30th August 2021.
We are excited to welcome our panel who will take an in-depth look at an important vaccine safety signal associated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna), myocarditis and pericarditis. The session will also include a live Q&A panel with experts from the medical, consumer (Heart Foundation) and vaccine safety domains.
Further details can be found via our Events page and the link below:
ABC News: Why Delta COVID-19 variant could put younger people at risk of deadly cardiac complications
The COVID-19 Delta variant which is now subject of the current outbreaks in NSW, QLD and Victoria, has been linked to an increase in cases of cardiac complications in younger people. Though data is still emerging on how common the cardiac side effects are with the Delta variant, myocarditis has also been reported as a very rare side effect of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (including Pfizer and Moderna) by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) .
According to a US study, while vaccine associated myocarditis and an associated condition, pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart), could be serious, the likelihood of this occurring is low and most cases are reported to resolve quickly. Further to this, the study found that young people were around six times more likely to develop myocarditis from COVID than Pfizer, reiterating that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risk of adverse effects from COVID-19, including for myocarditis.
To read the article in full please click on the link below:
ABC: Why Delta COVID-19 variant could put younger people at risk of deadly cardiac complications
TGA grants provisional approval for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (Spikevax) Elasomeran
We have updated our Moderna COVID-19 vaccination page to reflect the announcement by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) regarding the use of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine.
On August 9 2021, The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) granted provisional approval to Moderna Australia Pty Ltd for its COVID-19 vaccine—Spikevax (elasomeran).
To find out more information, please refer to our dedicated MVEC Moderna COVID-19 vaccination page in the link below.
MVEC Moderna COVID-19 vaccination page
Inside Aesthetics podcast featuring A/Prof Nigel Crawford
Associate Professor Nigel Crawford is interviewed by Dr Jake Sloane (cosmetic doctor and international injectables trainer) and David Segal (a multi-clinic owner and aesthetic entrepreneur) on their Inside Aesthetics podcast. In this episode, Nigel discusses the current vaccination landscape including vaccine safety, risk-benefit analysis, and COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy.
You can listen to the podcast here:
Inside Aesthetics Podcast featuring Associate Professor Nigel Crawford
Updated MVEC reference page: Myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines
We have updated our myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccines page to reflect the guidance by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ).
ATAGI and CSANZ emphasise that the overwhelming benefits of vaccination in protecting against COVID-19 greatly outweigh the rare risk of these conditions, and Comirnaty (Pfizer mRNA vaccine) continues to be recommended for all people ≥ 16 years of age who do not have any contraindications to the vaccine, in those aged 12-15 with specific medical conditions that increase their risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 12-15.
To find out more information, please refer to our dedicated MVEC myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccines page in the link below.
MVEC myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccines page
ATAGI statement on the use of a different COVID-19 vaccine as the second dose
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released clinical guidance on the use of a different COVID-19 vaccine as the second dose.
The advice recommends to use the same COVID-19 vaccine for the 2 doses of the primary vaccination course, unless there are specific medical reasons not to do so, or the same vaccine brand is not available in Australia.
The ATAGI advice explains:
• The medical contraindications and serious vaccine-attributable adverse events after
dose 1 of a COVID-19 vaccine that warrant using an alternative vaccine brand for dose 2
• The medical conditions that mean that Comirnaty is recommended over COVID-19
Vaccine AstraZeneca
• The recommendations for completing the primary vaccination course for people who
have received dose 1 with a vaccine that is not available in Australia.
To read the statement in full, please click the link below:
ATAGI statement: ATAGI clinical advice on use of a different COVID-19 vaccine as the second dose in special circumstances
For further information on COVID-19 mixed vaccine schedules refer to MVEC: COVID-19 mixed vaccine schedules.
COSSI webinar video now available - Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination webinar
A recording of the recent COSSI webinar Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination is now available. The webinar was held on 26 July and discusses the policy, behavioural, ethical and epidemiological aspects of mandating COVID-19 vaccination.
To view the recording, please click on the link below:
COSSI webinar video now available - Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination webinar
Change in timing for Pfizer second dose (in Victoria)
In order for more Victorians to receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, it is now recommended dose 2 of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty™) is administered 6 weeks after dose 1.
Individuals who currently have their second dose of Comirnaty™ booked do not need to reschedule their appointments.
This change only applies in Victoria.
For further information refer to the link below:
Department of Health: Change in timing for Pfizer second dose
ATAGI statement in response to NSW COVID-19 outbreak 24th July 2021
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released a statement to address the current risk of COVID-19 in NSW and the ongoing constraints on Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine supplies.
Due to increasing risk of COVID-19 and ongoing constraints of Comirnaty (Pfizer) supplies, ATAGI recommends all individuals aged 18 years and above in greater Sydney, including adults under 60 years of age, should strongly consider getting vaccinated with any available vaccine including COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.
ATAGI also advises that people in areas where outbreaks are occurring can receive the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine 4 to 8 weeks after the first dose, rather than the usual 12 weeks, to bring forward optimal protection. ATAGI also reinforces that the interval between the first and second doses of Comirnaty (Pfizer) is 3-6 weeks, providing flexibility in managing available supplies of vaccines, whilst also noting two doses are required for optimal protection.
In addition to being informed of the benefits and risks and give informed consent, it is advised that people who receive COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca should be aware of the symptoms of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), and when to seek prompt medical attention.
To read the statement in full, please click the link below:
ATAGI Statement: Response to NSW COVID-19 outbreak 24th July 2021