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.
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.
Australian Immunisation Handbook: New chapter on mpox
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care recently added a new chapter on mpox (previously known as monkeypox) to the ऑस्ट्रेलियाई टीकाकरण पुस्तिका.
Mpox is a viral zoonosis (an infection spread from animals to humans). In Victoria, vaccination is available free of charge for individuals who meet certain criteria.
The new chapter on mpox includes detailed information on mpox disease, epidemiology, vaccination and more.
Read the new chapter at Australian Immunisation Handbook: Mpox
Victorian Department of Health: Mpox
MVEC: Mpox
BBC: A 70-year-old system could help us prepare a bird flu vaccine for humans
There is a current global animal pandemic of avian influenza, but the virus does not yet have the ability to spread efficiently in humans. Should this change, there are systems in place to produce a human vaccine for bird flu.
This month in Victoria, a human case of avian influenza was detected in a recently returned traveller.
Read more about avian flu vaccine preparedness at BBC: A 70-year-old system could help us prepare a bird flu vaccine for humans.
Victorian Department of Health: Recent health alerts
In the last fortnight the Victorian Department of Health has issued health alerts relating to measles and COVID-19.
On 10 May an alert was issued regarding an increase in COVID-19 activity, resulting in an increase in hospitalisations. The Department suggests six steps to stay ahead of COVID-19:
- wear a mask
- get vaccinated
- let fresh air in
- get tested
- stay at home
- take antivirals if eligible.
You can read more about the COVID-19 alert on the Health Department’s website.
On 11 May, then updated on 17 May, alerts were issued relating to two separate cases of measles in returned overseas travellers. Measles is highly infectious. Visit the Health Department’s website for more information including a list of exposure sites.
एमवीईसी: कोविड-19
एमवीईसी: खसरा
The Conversation: Flu vaccines are no longer free for all under-12s in NZ
After free flu vaccines were funded for children under 12 in 2022, funding in New Zealand has now been cut back meaning only high-risk children aged 6 months to under 4 years are eligible for free vaccines.
In Australia, all children aged 6 months to under 5 years are eligible for free influenza vaccination. Annual flu vaccination is recommended for all Australians aged over 6 months.
Read about the impact of New Zealand’s funded influenza vaccine program in The Conversation: Flu vaccines are no longer free for all under-12s in NZ.
The Conversation: Too many Australians aren’t getting a flu vaccine. Why, and what can we do about it?
Holly Seale from the School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney examines the rates of influenza vaccine uptake in Australia so far in 2024, and explores solutions to rates that are lowers than at the same point last year.
WHO prequalifies new dengue vaccine
On 10 May 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved a new vaccine for dengue prevention. The vaccine, called Q-denga or TAK-003 is a live-attenuated vaccine containing weakened versions of the four serotypes of the virus that cause dengue.
WHO recommends the use of TAK-003 in children aged 6 to 16 years in settings with high dengue burden and transmission intensity. The vaccine should be administered in a 2-dose schedule with a 3-month interval between doses.
TAK-003 is the second dengue vaccine to be prequalified by WHO (the first was Dengvaxia, or CYD-TDV). WHO prequalification of medicines is a service provided by WHO to assess the quality, safety and efficacy of medicinal products. Prequalification is intended to give aid and international procurement agencies the choice of a wide range of quality medicines for bulk purchase in resource-limited countries.
Read more on the WHO website: WHO prequalifies new dengue vaccine
Expansion of the National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program
As of 29 April, the NIPVIP program has been expanded to allow pharmacies to claim payment for the administration of National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccinations in residential aged care and disability homes.
Read more on the Department of Health and Aged Care website
MVEC: Launch of the National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program (February 2024)
ABC: AstraZeneca withdraws COVID-19 vaccine citing a decline in demand
AstraZeneca has commenced a global withdrawal of the COVID-19 vaccine Vaxzevria, which has not been available in Australia since March 2023.
The withdrawal is due to a surplus of available updated vaccines, which has caused a decline in demand for Vaxzevria.
Read more at ABC: AstraZeneca withdraws COVID-19 vaccine citing a decline in demand
एमवीईसी: कोविड-19
MVEC: Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)