ABC: A surge in influenza cases in Queensland prompts doctors to issue vaccine warning for children and vulnerable groups
Experts warn that children are increasingly more vulnerable to influenza disease this year. MVEC’s paediatric infectious disease specialist Dr Angela Berkhout explains that children, particularly those under two years of age have low levels of natural immunity to flu as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
While flu season has yet to peak, hospitals in Queensland have already experienced an influx in the number of flu patients requiring hospital admission, including intensive care. This article explores key considerations for vaccinating children, seniors over the age of 65 years and other vulnerable groups.
To read the full article, follow the link below:
For the more information on influenza vaccines and the 2022 influenza season please see our resources below:
New immunisation reference page: Febrile seizures (Febrile convulsions)
Febrile seizures are typically triggered by a sudden rise in temperature and more commonly occur in very young children. Febrile seizures can be classified as simple or complex, with 1 in 30 children experiencing a febrile seizure at some point during their childhood.
Although vaccines can cause fevers, febrile seizures following vaccination are not common.
Our new reference page provides an overview of febrile seizures and outlines the recommendations following a vaccine proximate seizure.
To read more follow the link below:
MVEC: Febrile seizures (Febrile convulsions)
CDC: Effectiveness of COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccination in Preventing COVID-19–Associated Emergency Department and Urgent Care Encounters and Hospitalizations Among Nonimmunocompromised Children and Adolescents Aged 5–17 Years
A recent study conducted by the CDC and the VISION Network examined 39,217 emergency department (ED), urgent care (UC) encounters and 1,699 hospitalisations among persons aged 5 to 17 years with COVID-19–like illness during April 9, 2021–January 29, 2022. The study employed a case-control test-negative design to estimate the VE of two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in preventing COVID-19 associated hospitalisations in this cohort.
Click on the link below to access the study findings:
CDC: Effectiveness of 2-Dose BNT162b2 (Pfizer BioNTech) mRNA Vaccine in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Children Aged 5–11 Years and Adolescents Aged 12–15 Years — PROTECT Cohort
The CDC has released the findings of a recent PROTECT study, assessing the efficacy of two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in preventing infection from the Omicron variant amongst children 5 to 11 and adolescents 12 to 15 years of age. The study included clinical data from a cohort of 1,364 participants gathered from July 2021 to February 2022.
The report provides evidence that two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is effective in preventing both asymptomatic and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in this cohort.
Click on the link below to read the full report:
ABC: Australians urged to get flu shot, with children more at risk from influenza than COVID-19
As Australia reopens its’ international borders to visa holders and fully vaccinated travellers on February 21, health authorities are preparing for the first significant influenza season in three years.
Experts warn that it's particularly important that pregnant women and children receive the influenza vaccine as they are at increased risk of experiencing severe symptoms and more likely to require medical intervention and/or hospitalisation.
University of Sydney infectious disease expert Dr Booy said “I would say the flu in young children is worse than COVID is in young children”.
To read the full article, follow the link below:
Australians urged to get flu shot, with children more at risk from influenza than COVID-19
Raising Children Network - COVID-19 vaccination and children: 5-11 years
Immunising children against COVID-19 ensures stronger, longer-lasting protection than infection does. To build the best immunity, ATAGI recommends that children aged 5 to 11 years should have a 2 dose primary course of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, 8 weeks apart.
This Raising Children article developed in collaboration with MVEC explores the safety, efficacy and recommendations for immunising children aged 5 to 11 years against COVID-19.
To read the full article, follow the link below:
COVID-19 vaccination and children: 5-11 years
The Conversation: COVID vaccines for 5 to 11 year old’s are inching closer. Here’s what we know so far
This week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised the provisional use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in children between the age of 5 to 11 years. Children will receive two doses of the vaccine, at a reduced dose (one-third of the adult dose) administered approximately three weeks apart.
Pfizer has submitted a partial application to Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and is currently on track to supply the remaining data over the next two weeks. Once approved, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations (ATAGI) will advise the government on timing the rollout.
Current data suggests a clear advantage to immunising children against COVID-19, including protecting them from severe complications associated with the Delta variant, and helping to minimise the spread of the virus amongst the more vulnerable in the community.
Follow this link to read the full article:
COVID vaccines for 5 to 11 year old’s are inching closer. Here’s what we know so far