Australian Immunisation Handbook: New chapter on COVID-19
Today, 5 October 2023, the Department of Health and Aged Care has published a new chapter on COVID-19 in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
In a major update, the new COVID-19 disease chapter consolidates the available COVID-19 clinical guidance material.
The chapter includes the following subsections:
- Overview
- Recommendations
- Vaccines, dosage and administration
- मतभेद और सावधानियां
- Adverse events
- Nature of the disease
- Clinical features
- एपिडेमियोलॉजी (महामारी विज्ञान)
- Vaccine information
- Transporting, storing and handling vaccines
- Public health management
- Variations from product information.
Australian Immunisation Handbook: COVID-19
Nobel Prize awarded to mRNA vaccine researchers
Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman have received the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their role in the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.
Read about their work at The Nobel Prize: Discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19
WHO recommends new malaria vaccine
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the new malaria vaccine R21/Matrix-M for the prevention of malaria in children.
The approval of the R21 vaccine is expected to result in sufficient vaccine supply to benefit all children living in areas where malaria is a public health risk.
The R21 vaccine is the second malaria vaccine to be recommended by WHO. In 2021, WHO recommended the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine. Both vaccines are safe and effective in preventing malaria in children.
मलेरिया हर साल 600,000 से अधिक लोगों को मारता है। 2021 में, WHO अफ्रीकी क्षेत्र में 95% मामलों के साथ मलेरिया के अनुमानित 247 मिलियन मामले थे। 5 वर्ष से कम आयु के बच्चे मलेरिया से प्रभावित सबसे कमजोर समूह हैं।
Malaria vaccines have taken decades to develop due to the complicated structure of the malaria parasite. Earlier this year, Ghana was the first country to approve the R21 vaccine.
WHO: WHO recommends R21/Matrix-M vaccine for malaria prevention
Misinterpretation and misuse of recent COVID-19 study
The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) authors of a recent COVID-19 study have released a statement addressing the misinterpretation and misuse of their publication, BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination in children alters cytokine responses to heterologous pathogens and Toll-like receptor agonists.
The publication has been used to claim that COVID-19 vaccines are dangerous and that they suppress the immune system. The research does not provide any evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines are harmful to the immune system of children or adults.
MCRI: A statement regarding a recent COVID-19 vaccination publication
Immunisation Coalition: Immunisation for health and life meeting
This weekend on 7 October, the Immunisation Coalition will host the inaugural Immunisation for health and life meeting.
The hybrid event is designed for GPs and nurses who immunise against infectious diseases, and includes keynote presentations, rapid fire presentations, workshops and panel discussions.
When: 9:00 am–4:45 pm (ETD) on 7 October 2023
Where: Melbourne (hybrid)
Visit the Immunisation Coalition website to learn more and to register.
Immunisation Coalition: Immunisation for health and life meeting
Immunisation Coalition: 2023 Shingles webinar
The Immunisation Coalition will be hosting the 2023 Shingles Webinar on 15 November.
The webinar will provide an update on shingles epidemiology, changes to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule and current trends in vaccination rates. The webinar features A/Prof John Litt with Dr Andrew Minton as moderator.
When: 6:00 pm–7:00 pm EDT on 15 November 2023
Find out more and register on the Immunisation Coalition website.
Immunisation Coalition: 2023 Shingles webinar
NCIRS: Multiple vaccinations for children resource
The टीकाकरण अनुसंधान और निगरानी के लिए राष्ट्रीय केंद्र (एनसीआईआरएस) has recently developed a new resource to support conversations about administering multiple vaccinations at the same time in children.
NCIRS: Multiple vaccinations for children resource
Updated immunisation reference page: Varicella
We have recently updated our varicella reference page.
Varicella (chickenpox) is a highly contagious disease caused by infection with the varicella–zoster virus (VZV).
The updated reference page includes more details on varicella symptoms and transmission, a new section on epidemiology and more comprehensive advice on vaccination (including information on side effects, precautions and contraindications).
Updated immunisation reference page: MTHFR gene
We have recently updated our reference page on MTHFR gene polymorphisms.
The MTHFR gene is involved in the production of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme, which helps the body to break down folate.
People who have MTHFR gene polymorphisms (harmless changes to the gene which are very common) can safely receive vaccines.
The updated reference page reflects up-to-date research showing MTHFR gene polymorphisms do not cause any significant health problems.
Decommission of COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program
The COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program was decommissioned on 30 September 2023. From January 2021 to September 2023, successful completion of this program was mandatory for all providers delivering COVID-19 vaccines.
In Victoria, Secretary Approval from 1 October allows nurse immunisers and pharmacist immunisers to independently deliver COVID-19 vaccines, in addition to medical practitioners. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner immunisers can administer COVID-19 vaccines under the written instruction of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner or authorised midwife.
Read more on the Victorian Department of Health COVID-19 vaccine page.