AAP FactCheck: No evidence of link between vaccine and ovary damage
MVEC director Professor Nigel Crawford spoke to the Australian Associated Press FactCheck team, addressing claims made about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil®9.
It has been claimed that the HPV vaccine can damage the ovaries and that is has been withdrawn from use in the United States. AAP FactCheck deemed this claim false.
Prof Crawford confirmed there is no evidence to support the claim that the HPV vaccine causes damage to the ovaries. The claim stems from a longstanding myth that the vaccine is associated with premature ovarian failure (POF). "The timing of the HPV vaccine around puberty (12-13 years) has led to some of these concerns (about POF) being raised", Prof Crawford said.
Prof Crawford further confirmed there is no evidence to support claims that the HPV vaccine is linked to seizures.
AAP Factcheck: No evidence of link between vaccine and ovary damage
2023-24 Federal Budget: Shingrix to replace Zostavax on NIP
The 2023-24 Federal Budget has allocated $446.7 million to replace Zostaxav with Shingrix, a different zoster (shingles) vaccine, on the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
Shingrix is an inactivated vaccine whereas Zostavax is a live-attenuated vaccine, unsafe for immunosuppressed people. This means people with immunocompromise will now be able to access funded protection against the development of herpes zoster.
Further details regarding which populations will be able to access Shingrix on the NIP have not been announced.
NCIRS: Recording of HPV in 2023 webinar
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) has recently uploaded recordings of presentations from its recent HPV in 2023 webinar, held on 5 May 2023.
Leading researchers presented on:
- the HPV vaccine and its impact in Australia and globally
- a roadmap for cervical cancer elimination in Australia and our region
- changes to the Australian HPV vaccination schedule and their implications
- initiatives designed to maintain high levels of HPV vaccine coverage.
NCIRS HPV in 2023 webinar recordings
All Spikevax (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months-5 years have now expired
As of May 3 2023, all stock of original/ancestral strain of Spikevax (Moderna) specific for children aged 6 months to 5 years has expired. Any remaining stock should not be administered and should be disposed of according to your state or territory’s requirements.
We have updated our guidelines to provide recommendations for children who have commenced their primary course with 1 dose of Spikevax and require further doses to complete their course.
- Immune competent children can complete their primary course with 1 dose of age-appropriate Comirnaty (Pfizer) only.
- Severely immunocompromised children who received 1 dose of Spikevax should receive a further 2 doses of Comirnaty 8 weeks apart to complete their primary course.
- Severely immunocompromised children who received 2 doses of Spikevax should receive 1 further dose of Comirnaty 8 weeks later to complete their primary course.
Please note, vaccination is only recommended in this age group for children with severe immunocompromise, disability or a complex medical condition that places them at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
Find complete recommendations for children aged 6 months to 5 years on MVEC: COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescents.
Updated immunisation reference page: Immunosuppression and vaccines
Immunosuppression refers to a person’s immune system being weakened, resulting in a decreased ability to fight infections. It can be caused by certain medical conditions or by taking specific medications.
Vaccination is particularly important in the setting of immunosuppression as individuals are at an increased risk of developing severe symptoms if exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases. Protection from vaccines can be suboptimal in this patient group and therefore additional doses of vaccines may be recommended. Conversely, some vaccines (live-attenuated vaccines) may be contraindicated due to the potential risk of vaccine-related disease.
We have recently updated our immunosuppression and vaccines reference page to incorporate information specific to COVID-19 immunisation which was previously detailed on a separate page. Information on vaccination timing, recommended vaccines, contraindicated vaccines, and considerations for immunosuppressed breastfeeding mothers and household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals is also included.
Updated MVEC: Immunosuppression and vaccines
TGA: Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine SPIKEVAX receives approval for full registration
On 21 April 2023, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved Moderna Australia’s application to transition its original/ancestral strain COVID-19 vaccines from provisional to full registration. This applies only to the formulations used for people aged ≥ 12 years.
It is the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive full registration within Australia.
Moderna’s original/ancestral strain COVID-19 vaccine formulation given to children aged 6 months to ≤ 5 years, and the Moderna SPIKEVAX bivalent vaccines remain provisionally registered only.
TGA: Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine SPIKEVAX receives approval for full registration
For more information about the provision registration of COVID-19 vaccines in Australia, see our reference page.
World Immunization Week 2023
Next week is World Health Organization (WHO) World Immunization Week 2023. To celebrate, MVEC will be sharing a series of social media posts all about vaccines and this year’s theme: The Big Catch-Up.
Celebrated annually, World Immunization Week aims to highlight the collective action needed to protect people from vaccine-preventable diseases.
As a member of WHO’s Vaccine Safety Net (VSN), MVEC proudly supports WHO and the work it does to protect people from vaccine-preventable diseases. The VSN is a global network of websites, verified as a source of reliable and credible vaccine safety information.
To keep up our posts about World Immunization Week and more, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @mvecau and on our Facebook page Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre – MVEC.
We regularly post information and advice covering all kinds of vaccine-related topics. We also share interesting news articles and relevant vaccine updates from trusted sources.
ABC: Ghana becomes first country in world to approve Oxford University’s new R21 malaria vaccine
Ghana has become the first country to approve a new malaria vaccine, a possible step forwarding in fighting the disease.
This is the second malaria vaccine to be approved, following RTS,S which is currently recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to WHO, 100 million doses are needed annually to cover 25 million children but, due to lack of funding and commercial potential, RTS,S manufacturer GSK has only committed to 15 million doses each year up to 2028.
A second vaccine is urgently needed.
Malaria kills more than 600,000 people each year. In 2021, there were an estimated 247 million cases of malaria with 95% of cases occurring in the WHO African Region. Children under 5 are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria.
Malaria vaccines have taken decades to develop due to the complicated structure of the malaria parasite.
Final-stage trial data for the R21 vaccine is yet to be published and regulatory bodies including the World Health Organization are still assessing the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.
ABC: Ghana becomes first country in world to approve Oxford University’s new R21 malaria vaccine
NCIRS: Webinar - HPV in 2023
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) is hosting a webinar on the latest HPV vaccine recommendations and research on 5 May, 2023 at 2pm AEST.
Leading researchers will present on:
- the HPV vaccine and its impact in Australia and globally
- a roadmap for cervical cancer elimination in Australia and our region
- changes to the Australian HPV vaccination schedule and their implications
- initiatives designed to maintain high levels of HPV vaccine coverage.
Healthcare providers, register here.
Australian Government: New campaign to improve childhood vaccination rates
The Australian Government has launched a new campaign to improve childhood vaccination rates.
The campaign theme is ‘One more way you keep them safe’, highlighting the importance of vaccinating children according to the National Immunisation Program schedule and encouraging parents and caregivers to seek out reliable information about vaccines.
Despite Australia’s high childhood immunisation rates, data shows a downward trend in childhood vaccination over the last two years. More information is available on the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Australian Government: Childhood Immunisation