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The Conversation: Is it too late to get a flu shot?

A recent article published in The Conversation unpacks why it is still worth getting vaccinated against influenza.

The number of tôiaboratory-confirmed cases indicate that influenza circulates outside the typical flu season. Vaccination is preferable even where someone has already had the flu this year, especially in older populations.

For more information about influenza disease and vaccination, go to MVEC: Cúm
To read the article in full, go to The Conversation: Is it too late to get a flu shot?

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Victorian Department of Health: Local transmission of mpox in metropolitan Melbourne

On 8 August 2025, the Victorian Department of Health issues an mpox health alert. From mid-July, 8 mpox cases have been reported including 5 cases locally acquired in metropolitan Melbourne.

In Victoria, free mpox vaccination is available for people who meet certain eligibility criteria.

Read the full health alert at Vic DH: Local transmission of mpox in metropolitan Melbourne
Learn more about mpox at MVEC: Mpox

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BBC: Could RFK Jr's move to pull mRNA vaccine funding be a huge miscalculation?

With the US Department of Health and Human Service's (HHS) planned withdrawal of funding for mRNA vaccine technology, the BBC recently published an article outlining why this could be a mistake.

The withdrawal of funding follows US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr questioning the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines in protecting against respiratory viruses.

Prof Andrew Pollard, head of the UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation(JCVI), reiterates the strong evidence for safety and efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, balanced against the very rare risks for side effects. He explains that abandoning research into mRNA technology will impact options for future vaccines and treatments for rare diseases and cancers.

BBC: Could RFK Jr's move to pull mRNA vaccine funding be a huge miscalculation?

Read more about vaccine platforms on MVEC: Nền tảng vắc-xin

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RSV administration error resources: ATAGI advice and clinical guidance

Following reports of RSV administration errors to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Đăng ký Chủng ngừa Úc (AIR) and local vaccine safety surveillance systems, ATAGI has issued a statement reiterating appropriate product indications and recommendations.

The ATAGI Statement on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunisation products and prevention of administration errors includes guidance on the correct administration of RSV immunisation products and actions following inadvertent administration of the incorrect product.

Clinical guidance on the actions required following any RSV administration error has also been included in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

Practices and immunisers should take appropriate steps to prevent errors, particularly in the context of a relatively new immunisation program. In the event of an error, the vaccinee or guardian should be informed via an open disclosure discussion. The error should also be reported to the jurisdiction’s vaccine safety service (SAEFVIC in Victoria).

Further support can be found via MVECs’ eLearning Vaccine Errors: Prevention, management and open disclosure.

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National Immunisation Program pneumococcal changes: Prevenar 20

From 1 September 2025, Prevenar 20 will replace Prevenar 13 Và Pneumovax 23 on the childhood and adolescent National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule.

Routine doses are scheduled at 6 weeks, 4 months and 12 months of age, with an additional dose given for higher risk children at 6 months of age or at diagnosis of the at-risk condition. There is no need to recall a person for ‘catch-up’ if they have already completed their full course of pneumococcal vaccination.

Prevenar 20 is a conjugated vaccine that protects against the bacteria Phế cầu khuẩn. In addition to the protection against the 13 serotypes covered in Prevenar 13, Prevenar 20 offers protection against serotypes 8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B, 22F, 33F.

There are no changes to the adult schedule at this time.

Read more on the program changes via the NIP Fact sheet
Read more about pneumococcal at MVEC: Phế cầu khuẩn

For further information and the opportunity to ask questions, please save the date for MVEC's upcoming webinar CVU mini: Pneumococcal update. (Recording now available exclusively for Education Portal members.)

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TGA: Varicella vaccine shortages

Immunisation providers should be aware of current shortages of the monovalent thủy đậu vaccines in Australia. This shortage in supply impacts both Varilrix and Varivax. There is no impact to government or NIP stock.

For more information, visit the TGA Medicine shortages report database.

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In memory of Prof David Isaacs

The MVEC and SAEFVIC teams are deeply saddened by the passing of Prof David Isaacs.

David was not only a well respected paediatric infectious diseases expert, he was also a fierce defender of the rights and wellbeing of children, and a mentor and friend to many. The MVEC team was honoured to have David as a special guest at our 2019 Clinical Vaccinology Update.

His contributions to vaccine policy as member of ATAGI, PBAC and Polio Expert Panel in support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative leave a lasting legacy.

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