Check your knowledge on the July 2020 NIP changes
Developed in conjunction with the Victorian DHHS Immunisation section, MVEC is excited to share the new "July 2020 National Immunisation Program changes" quiz. This quiz aims to check the knowledge of immunisation providers on the recent changes to the National Immunisation Program (NIP). It can be found via our MVEC Education Portal or by following the link below:
Africa declared free of wild polio
After 4 years without a case of wild polio, the African region has been declared free of wild poliovirus. MVEC congratulates the efforts of everyone involved in accomplishing such a tremendous achievement which has been described by WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as "one of the greatest public health achievements of our time". This milestone means that Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only 2 countries worldwide who continue to see wild poliovirus transmission.
To read more on this remarkable effort please follow the links:
Africa kicks out wild polio
WHO: Global polio eradication initiative applauds WHO African region for wild polio-free certification
Zostavax safety advice: not to be administered to people with compromised immune function
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have issued a reminder that Zostavax® vaccine should not be administered to people with compromised immune function. Vaccination in this patient group is contraindicated and can result in infection with the vaccine virus causing mild to severe complications (including death).
Further details on the alert can be seen here: TGA: Zostavax® vaccine
For more information on Zostavax® and access to the Zostavax® GP decision aid please review the MVEC pages below:
MVEC: Zoster
MVEC: Zoster vaccine (Zostavax®) FAQ's
COVID19 Road to a vaccine episode 11: Associate Professor Margie Danchin and Professor Julie Leask
In episode 11 of our COVID19 Road to a vaccine series, our host, Nigel Crawford, speaks to experts in vaccine confidence, Associate Professor Margie Danchin and Professor Julie Leask. Margie is a consultant paediatrician at the Royal Children’s Hospital, an Associate Professor within the University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, where she is the leader of the Vaccine Uptake Group. Julie is a social scientist and professor in the Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney and a visiting Professorial Fellow at NCIRS (the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance). In this episode they discuss:
- Responses to vaccine hesitancy and promoting vaccine confidence from an Australian perspective
- The importance of language and definitions when it comes to vaccine confidence, hesitancy and uptake
- (5) important ways to prepare the public for a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
- The role of social media platforms in communicating this information
- The importance of measuring vaccine confidence in the community
- Ways of communicating well around adverse events in gaining community trust and maintaining vaccine programs, including utilising expertise from specialist immunisation clinics (SICs)
Links:
- Vaccine: Words matter: Vaccine hesitancy, vaccine demand, vaccine confidence, herd immunity and mandatory vaccination
- COSSI Network
- Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation
Listen to the episode here:
New immunisation reference page: Foetal embryonic cells- utilised in vaccine development platforms
Foetal embryonic cell lines isolated in the early 1960's have been used to develop a number of various vaccines. As scientists work to produce an effective vaccine against SARS CoV-2 it is important to explore as many technologies as possible. Addressing ethical and religious concerns is an essential part of COVID-19 vaccine readiness planning. Our new reference page details the background behind the use of foetal embryonic cells and the role they play in the development of vaccines, the reasons why they are used, as well as addressing any religious and ethical implications.
To access our reference page follow the link to MVEC: Foetal embryonic cells- utilised in vaccine development platforms.
The use of foetal tissue in vaccine development
There has been attention in the media recently regarding the use of foetal cell lines by the Oxford Vaccine Group to develop their COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Cell lines are currently used to manufacture many vaccines including varicella, hepatitis A, rabies and MMR vaccines.
The below information from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHoP) discusses the background behind using these cell lines in vaccine development as well as any potential ethical or religious concerns surrounding this.
Vaccine ingredients- Fetal tissues
The RCH Immunisation Service: Drive-through clinic is now open
To support families in continuing to receive scheduled vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, the RCH Immunisation Service has just opened its own immunisation drive-through clinic. Additional precautions have been implemented to ensure the safety of all patients, families and staff. Access to medical care remains an essential service during this time and staying up to date with scheduled immunisations is encouraged.
The drive-through clinic will operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am - 1pm until September 15.
Bookings for the drive-through clinic are mandatory and can be made by contacting the immunisation team via this link.
New immunisation reference page: Immunosuppression and vaccines
Having certain medical conditions or taking specific medications can lead to immunosuppression and the decreased ability to fight infections. For these patients, prevention of disease is critical. Our new reference page outlines additional vaccines to consider, and specific vaccines that may be contraindicated.
To learn more follow the link to MVEC: Immunosuppression and vaccines
COVID19 Road to a vaccine episode 10: Professor Paul Young and Professor Trent Munro
In episode 10 of our COVID19 Road to a vaccine series, our host, Nigel Crawford, speaks with Professors Paul Young and Trent Munro to discuss the University of Queensland (UQ) COVID-19 vaccine candidate. UQ and CEPI (the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovation) have partnered with CSL (Seqirus) to advance their novel molecular clamp technology to develop their vaccine for COVID-19. This vaccine has recently progressed to Phase 1 clinical trials. In this episode they discuss:
- The University of Queensland COVID19 vaccine development process
- The involvement of CEPI in their trial
- The use of a molecular clamp platform in the development of their protein SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
- Results of their preclinical trials
- Their partnership with CSL/Seqirus and the use of the MF59 adjuvant
- The timeline of their clinical trials and the upcoming steps
Links:
- CEPI partners with University of Queensland to create rapid response vaccines
- Dosing begins in the first human trial of UQ’s COVID-19 vaccine
- The University of Queensland, CEPI and CSL partner to advance development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccine candidate
Listen to the episode here:
New immunisation reference page: Breastfeeding and immunisations
Immunising breastfeeding mothers can not only protect the mother from vaccine preventable diseases but also provide passive immunity to the baby. Our new reference page details different vaccines and scenarios for consideration when immunising a mother who is breastfeeding.
To learn more follow the link to MVEC: Breastfeeding and immunisation