Recording available now for members: CVU mini pneumococcal update (webinar)
ए recording of last week’s CVU mini webinar is now available for Education Portal members.
Featuring Prof Nigel Crawford, Ms Rachael McGuire and Dr Linny Kimly Phuong, hear the latest on pneumococcal vaccination in line with the 1 September 2025 changes to the childhood pneumococcal vaccine schedule, followed by a brief Q&A session.
By becoming an Education Portal member, you not only support MVEC, but you get exclusive access to:
- past webinar recordings
- eLearnings
- special ticket prices for face-to-face MVEC events.
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The Lancet: Bivalent prefusion F vaccination in pregnancy and respiratory syncytial virus hospitalisation in infants in the UK: results of a multicentre, test-negative, case-control study
A recent UK study finds maternal RSV vaccination has reduced the risk of hospitalisation for infants with RSV whose mother received a vaccine during pregnancy, within the recommended time frame.
Maternal vaccinations were introduced in the UK in August to September 2024, for pregnant people from 28 weeks’ gestation.
Read the full Williams TC, Marlow R, Cunningham S et al. article on The Lancet’s Child and Adolescent Health website.
एमवीईसी: रेस्पिरेटरी सिंकाइटियल वायरस (आरएसवी)
Vaccine administration error alert: Incorrect RSV prevention product
Inadvertent administration of adult RSV vaccines to infants
There have been a number of recent notifications of inadvertent administration of the adult RSV vaccine Abrysvo to infants in Victoria.
RSV vaccines, such as Abrsyvo and Arexvy, are not licensed for use in children. The safety and efficacy of these products in children has not been established. The only RSV prevention products recommended for eligible infants/young children are monoclonal antibody products, such as nirsevimab (Beyfortus). Current recommendations are for infants who have inadvertently received an RSV vaccine in error to be monitored for adverse events, and to receive a dose of nirsevimab.
Inadvertent administration of Arexvy in pregnancy
There have also been multiple notifications of inadvertent administration of Arexvy in pregnancy in Victoria.
Arexvy is not licensed for use in pregnancy, and there is limited data regarding its safety and efficacy in pregnancy. The only RSV vaccine recommended for use in pregnancy is Abrysvo, which is recommended between 28-36 weeks gestation. Current recommendations for women who have inadvertently received Arexvy in pregnancy do not recommend a follow up dose of Abrysvo within the same pregnancy. Nirsevimab may be considered for the infant.
Vaccine administration errors are preventable
Practices and immunisers should take appropriate steps to prevent errors, particularly in the context of a relatively new immunisation program. In the event of an error, the vaccinee or guardian should be informed via an open disclosure discussion. The error should also be reported to the jurisdiction’s vaccine safety service (SAEFVIC in Victoria).
All doses of RSV vaccines and nirsevimab should be reported to the ऑस्ट्रेलियाई टीकाकरण रजिस्टर (एआईआर).
Further info
- Victorian Department of Health: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation
- एमवीईसी: रेस्पिरेटरी सिंकाइटियल वायरस (आरएसवी)
- MVEC: Vaccine errors: prevention, management and open disclosure (eLearning course)
- Moro PL, Scheffey A, Gallego R, et al. Incorrect Administration of Adult RSV Vaccines to Young Children. Pediatrics. 2024 May 9;153(6):e2024066174. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-066174
- Moro PL, Gallego R, Scheffey A, et al. Administration of the GSK Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine to Pregnant Persons in Error. Obstet Gynecol. 2024 May 1;143(5):704-706
Benchmarque: eLearning modules on RSV protection for infants
Benchmarque Group has developed free modules on RSV protection for infants, aimed at providing participants with a baseline understanding of RSV information and an understanding of safe storage, preparation and administration of nirsevimab.
The courses are available on the Benchmarque Group website.
Learn more about RSV at MVEC: RSV
AAP FactCheck debunks circulating vaccine misinformation
False claims suggesting that the World Health Organization (WHO) admitted to एमआरएनए टीके causing mpox or breast cancer have been circulating online. AAP FactCheck have deemed both claims false.
There is no evidence to suggest a causal association between mRNA vaccines and mpox, or mRNA vaccines and breast cancer.
In Australia, adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) are thoroughly investigated by jurisdictional and national health authorities through passive and active surveillance systems. This supports our safe vaccination programs and maintains community confidence in vaccines.
AAP FactCheck: False claim linking breast cancer to mRNA vaccines misrepresents WHO study's findings
AAP FactCheck: WHO has not 'admitted' mpox is COVID vaccine side effect
ABC Health Report (podcast): Why the US measles outbreak is so concerning
In a recent episode of the Health Report (19 April 2025), paediatric infectious diseases physician Dr Linny Phuong spoke about the ongoing outbreak of खसरा in the United States and the increasing number of cases emerging in Australia. Key discussion points include:
- disease transmission and the importance of herd immunity
- measles disease and complications
- vaccination (including the need for earlier doses for children travelling)
- maternal protection for newborns
- misinformation and barriers to vaccination.
You can listen to the podcast यहाँ.
New podcast episode (feat. Prof Nigel Crawford): Whooping cough – What you need to know
Prof Nigel Crawford recently spoke with Dr Rebecca Overton about pertussis (whooping cough) in a new podcast episode from HealthEd.
Key features of the discussion included:
- why have there been an increase in pertussis cases
- typical presenting symptoms
- complications of pertussis
- scheduled vaccines (including maternal vaccination)
- how to address concerns about vaccination.
You can listen to the podcast यहाँ.
A reminder about Q fever vaccination records
The Q fever register (the previous central recording register for Q fever vaccine administration) has moved to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). Any vaccine administered after 15 April 2024 must now be recorded on AIR.
However, it is important for providers to note that records prior to this date have not automatically been transferred. Therefore, it may be necessary to access both registers to confirm a person’s vaccination status.
Please remember that Q fever vaccination is contraindicated in people with:
- a history of laboratory-confirmed Q fever
- a positive/equivocal serology result
- a positive skin test
- a history of Q fever vaccination
- immunocompromise
- anaphylaxis to a component of a Q fever vaccine (including eggs).
ATAGI does not recommend vaccination for anyone 14 years of age or younger.
MVEC joins Fides
Fides is a network of trusted healthcare influencers on social media, supported by the World Health Organization. The network aims to raise good health content online and fight misinformation online.
For original vaccine education content that complements our website, events and Education Portal resources, follow us on Instagram @mvecau. We also have profiles on फेसबुक और X/Twitter.
CVU mini webinar on RSV: Recording available for limited time!
To celebrate the launch of the शिक्षा पोर्टल, a recording of Wednesday’s CVU mini webinar on RSV preventative therapies is available to सभी Education Portal users until COB Thursday 13 February 2024. Simply log in or create a profile to start watching.
Following this, the recording will be designated as a ‘past event recording’ which is only accessible to Education Portal members.
Becoming an Education Portal member is a new way to support MVEC. Log in or create a profile, then add a paid membership.
Members get access to:
- past webinar recordings
- eLearnings
- special ticket prices for face-to-face MVEC events.
Please note: if you are having issues accessing the recording please wait 24 hours before trying again.