National Immunisation Program: New meningococcal vaccine funded from 1 July 2024
From 1 July 2024, the meningococcal ACWY vaccine MenQuadfi will be funded on the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is caused by infection with the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. It can result meningitis and septicaemia, as well as other infections like pneumonia, arthritis and conjunctivitis. Children under 2 years have the highest incidence of meningococcal disease in Australia, with another peak among adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 years.
MenQuadfi replaces Nimenrix for the adolescent age group (year 10 equivalent and up to 19 years for catch up). Children aged 12 months and those with specific medical conditions will continue to receive the Nimenrix vaccination on the NIP.
MenQuadfi was registered for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in 2020. It is given as a single 0.5 mL dose, to be administered intramuscularly.
NIP: Meningococcal ACWY vaccines – updates for 1 July 2024
TGA: MenQuadfi
एमवीईसी: मेनिंगोकोकल
Victorian Department of Health: Changes to mpox vaccine eligibility criteria
Mpox is a viral zoonosis (an infection spread from animals to humans). Since April this year, there have been 24 confirmed cases of mpox in Victoria, 21 of which were locally acquired.
In Victoria, the eligibility criteria for free primary prevention vaccination (PPV) and post-exposure preventative vaccinations (PEPV) have been expanded.
Find out more about the recent transmission and accessing vaccines at Victorian Department of Health: Changes to mpox vaccine eligibility criteria.
OPTIONS XII for the Control of Influenza: Early bird registration extended
OPTIONS for the Control of Influenza is a global scientific meeting with a dedicated focus on influenza. OPTIONS XII will be held in Brisbane from Sunday 29 September to Wednesday 2 October 2024.
Highlights of this year’s conference include focuses on:
- Pacific Island and First Nations health
- interdisciplinary science
- knowledge exchange and networking
- policy and advocacy.
Submissions for late breaking orals and posters are open until 11 July 2024.
Early bird registrations have been extended to 30 June 2024.
Learn more about OPTIONS XII and abstract submission on the OPTIONS XII website.
Updated immunisation reference: Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
MVEC has recently updated its reference page on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
The updated page includes information about new fields added in 2024, and general guidance on how to use AIR, and what it should be used for.
MVEC: Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
ProQuad stock due to expire 16 June
Stock of the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine ProQuad is due to expire on 16 June 2024.
ProQuad will cease to be listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule on 1 July 2024.
Vaccines must be disposed of immediately when the expiry date is reached, according to your state or territory's requirements.
Department of Health and Aged Care: 2024 flu season and respiratory illnesses webinar recording available
A recording of the Australian Government Health Department’s 3 May webinar on the 2024 flu season and respiratory illnesses is now available to view.
The webinar was presented by Professor Paul Kelly (Head of the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control) and Professor Nigel Crawford.
The webinar is for vaccine providers, including:
- general practitioners
- फार्मेसियों
- primary care nurses
- allied health professionals.
Department of Health and Aged Care: 2024 flu season and respiratory illnesses webinar
Immunisation Coalition: RSV update webinar
The Immunisation Coalition will hold its RSV update webinar on 26 June, from 6:00 pm (AEST).
The webinar will be moderated by Dr Andrew Minton and features Dr Gemma Saravanos as speaker.
Learn more and register on the Immunisation Coalition’s event page.
Trending immunisation resources: Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
SIRVAs are a rare but serious complication following suspected inadvertent administration of a vaccine too high in the deltoid or into the shoulder joint. This can lead to a local inflammatory response and potential trauma to local structures within the shoulder. Implications of SIRVA can include long-term pain and restricted movement, difficulty with completing activities of daily living/caring for others, time off work, loss of income, inability to participate in sports/hobbies and impacts on the social and emotional wellbeing of the affected person.
Ensuring a correct injection technique can prevent SIRVA from occurring in the first place. We encourage vaccine providers to familiarise themselves with MVEC’s Administration of injected vaccines – correct technique reference page for guidance on identifying the correct injection site.
Further information on SIRVA, including diagnosis and treatment, can be found on our SIRVA immunisation reference page. We also encourage providers to complete our free Education Portal eLearning package on SIRVA.
Victorian Department of Health: Mpox health alert updated
The Victorian Department of Health has updated its alert relating to local transmission of mpox.
The health alert, first published on 29 April 2024, was updated on 28 May 2024, and again on 6 June 2024.
Since 18 April this year, there have been 24 confirmed cases of mpox in Victoria, 21 of which were acquired locally.
Eligibility criteria for free mpox vaccination in Victoria have been expanded.
Find more information about the recent transmission and accessing vaccines at the Department of Health: Local transmission of mpox in Victoria health alert.
MVEC featured on health podcasts
MVEC nurse educators Katie Butler and Rachael McGuire have recently featured as guests on local health podcasts.
Katie was a guest on the PAEDS Education ‘PEADS Small Talk’ podcast, as part of a mini series celebrating International Nurses Day (12 May).
Listen now, IND Mini Series: Katie – The Immunisation Educator Nurse
Rachael was a guest on the Royal Children’s Hospital Education Hub podcast ‘The conversation with the experts’ where she discussed vaccine administration.
Listen now, Vaccine administration insights