ATAGI Advice on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose intervals and COVID-19 vaccination post infection
ATAGI have provided updated advice on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose intervals and COVID-19 vaccination post infection.
It is now recommended that the dose interval between primary doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines should be extended to 8 weeks, with the extended dose interval shown to improve effectiveness and immune response to vaccination, as well as potentially also reduce the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis.
ATAGI have also recommended that COVID-19 vaccination is deferred 3 months following COVID-19 infection to optimise protection.
To read the updated recommendations in full, please click on the link below.
ATAGI Advice on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose intervals and COVID-19 vaccination post infection
ATAGI clinical guidance on COVID-19 vaccine administration errors
ATAGI has provided the below guidance for clinicians outlining the appropriate management of common COVID-19 vaccine administration errors. It includes scenarios where the vaccine is administered in the following circumstances:
- Via the incorrect site/route
- At a higher/lower dose
- Following incorrect storage and handling
- In an unapproved age group
- Mixed vaccine schedules
- With incorrect intervals
It is important to note that in Victoria, any vaccine administration error should be reported to SAEFVIC. Following the identification of a vaccine error, open disclosure with the vaccine recipient is important and addressing the cause of the error will prevent errors from occurring again in the future.
To read the full guideline, follow the link below:
ATAGI clinical guidance on COVID-19 vaccine administration errors
ATAGI update following weekly COVID-19 meeting – 16 February 2022
ATAGI held their weekly meeting on Wednesday 16 February to discuss the latest developments and recommendations relating to COVID-19 immunisations.
The meeting addressed the use of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 6 to 11 years, as well as, the use of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine as a booster and recommendations regarding the vaccine dose interval for children.
To read the full update, follow the link below:
ATAGI update following weekly COVID-19 meeting – 16 February 2022
Omicron variant: will the COVID-19 Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca vaccines protect you?
Scientists around the world are looking at whether protective antibodies in the current COVID-19 vaccines are “sufficiently high” to cover the new Omicron strain. Additionally, the WHO and governments are assessing the severity of the new variant.
Vaccine makers, including Pfizer and Moderna have been working on “next-generation” mRNA vaccines that would be able to target particular variants circulating. Current data suggests that the COVID-19 vaccines used in Australia will protect against severe disease.
To read the full article, please click on the link below:
Omicron variant: will the COVID-19 Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca vaccines protect you?