JAMA: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at a Crossroads
Following their dismissal earlier this month from Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 17 former members have authored an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The article outlines the history, function and importance of ACIP and highlights the authors' concern for the impact on US immunisation policy.
ACIP is the national immunisation technical advisory group (NITAG) for the United States – the equivalent of Australia’s ATAGI. ACIP has been an internationally recognised leading NITAG, holding three regular meetings each year in which the committee reviews scientific data and votes on US vaccine recommendations. These meetings have been open to the public via live webcast, and materials, including all presentation slides, have been made available for download following the meetings.
Find more information about NITAGs on the Global NITAG Network’s (GNN) website.
Immunisation Coalition: 2025 RSV Update webinar
Các Immunisation Coalition will host its RSV webinar on 9 July 2025. Featuring A/Prof Nusrat Homaira with Dr Andrew Bird moderating, the webinar will cover RSV epidemiology, disease burden and an update on the maternal RSV vaccination and monoclonal antibody.
Ngày: 9 July 2025
Thời gian: 6:00–7:00 pm (AEST)
Learn more and register on the Immunisation Coalition event page.
INSIG: Biennial Immunisation Conference
On 17 October, INSIG Inc (the Immunisation Nurses Special Interest Group) will hold a full-day event exploring the latest in immunisation practice, policy and innovation. Early Bird pricing is available until 1 August 2025.
Date: Friday 17 October 2025
Time: 8:45 am – 4:14 pm (AEDT)
Venue: ANMF (Vic Branch) in Melbourne
AHPC statement on measles
With the recent increase in measles cases occurring internationally and across Australia, the Australian Health Protection Committee (AHPC) has highlighted 4 key priority areas to focus efforts:
- on-time vaccination for children
- catch-up vaccination for children and adults
- vaccination for travellers (including an additional measles vaccination for those aged 6–11 months travelling to countries where outbreaks are occurring)
- nationally consistent information for healthcare providers and the public.
Measles is highly infectious, causing severe disease and complications (including otitis media, pneumonia, encephalitis, and can be fatal). Between 1 January and 27 May 2025, 77 people have been diagnosed with measles in Australia, most were people aged 20 to 49 years who were either unvaccinated or unsure of vaccine status and had travelled overseas.
Vaccination is very effective in preventing disease; receiving 2 doses of a measles-containing vaccines will protect 99% of people.
For more information, read the full AHPC statement.
MVEC: Sởi
RSV Awareness Week: 1–7 June 2025
It is national RSV Awareness Week. Led by Immunisation Foundation Australia, this annual campaign aims to raise awareness of RSV and its impact, as well as champion RSV protection for infants and older adults.
Visit the RSV Awareness Week website for RSV resources and campaign assets to promote RSV protection. You can also learn more about RSV at MVEC: Virus hợp bào hô hấp (RSV).
NCIRS: Navigating vaccination for immunocompromised patients (webinar)
This month, the Trung tâm Nghiên cứu và Giám sát Tiêm chủng Quốc gia (NCIRS) will host webinar on vaccination in people with immunocompromise.
Date: Wednesday 25 June
Time: 12:00–1:15 pm AEST
For more information and to register, visit the webinar event page.
MVEC recently held a webinar on immunisation and special risk groups which featured Prof Nigel Crawford and A/Prof Ben Teh; a recording of this event will soon be uploaded to our Cổng thông tin giáo dục, exclusively available to users with a paid membership.
Vaccine administration error alert: Incorrect RSV prevention product
Inadvertent administration of adult RSV vaccines to infants
There have been a number of recent notifications of inadvertent administration of the adult RSV vaccine Abrysvo to infants in Victoria.
RSV vaccines, such as Abrsyvo and Arexvy, are not licensed for use in children. The safety and efficacy of these products in children has not been established. The only RSV prevention products recommended for eligible infants/young children are monoclonal antibody products, such as nirsevimab (Beyfortus). Current recommendations are for infants who have inadvertently received an RSV vaccine in error to be monitored for adverse events, and to receive a dose of nirsevimab.
Inadvertent administration of Arexvy in pregnancy
There have also been multiple notifications of inadvertent administration of Arexvy in pregnancy in Victoria.
Arexvy is not licensed for use in pregnancy, and there is limited data regarding its safety and efficacy in pregnancy. The only RSV vaccine recommended for use in pregnancy is Abrysvo, which is recommended between 28-36 weeks gestation. Current recommendations for women who have inadvertently received Arexvy in pregnancy do not recommend a follow up dose of Abrysvo within the same pregnancy. Nirsevimab may be considered for the infant.
Vaccine administration errors are preventable
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).
All doses of RSV vaccines and nirsevimab should be reported to the Đăng ký Chủng ngừa Úc (AIR).
Further info
- Victorian Department of Health: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation
- MVEC: Virus hợp bào hô hấp (RSV)
- MVEC: Vaccine errors: prevention, management and open disclosure (eLearning course)
- Moro PL, Scheffey A, Gallego R, et al. Incorrect Administration of Adult RSV Vaccines to Young Children. Pediatrics. 2024 May 9;153(6):e2024066174. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-066174
- Moro PL, Gallego R, Scheffey A, et al. Administration of the GSK Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine to Pregnant Persons in Error. Obstet Gynecol. 2024 May 1;143(5):704-706
Register now: CVU mini on immunisation and special risk groups
MVEC’s upcoming webinar on immunisation and special risk groups is now open for registration. Healthcare professionals will have the opportunity to hear from Prof Nigel Crawford and A/Prof Benjamin Teh, followed by a brief Q&A session.
Ngày: Wednesday 4 June 2025
Thời gian: 6:00–7:00 pm AEST
Vị trí: online
Phí đăng ký: free event (after the webinar, a recording will be exclusively available to Education Portal users with a paid membership)
Register via MVEC’s Cổng thông tin giáo dục now!
NB: You will need an Education Portal profile to register for this event, but you do not need a paid membership unless you would like to access the webinar recording.
Immunisation Coalition: 2025 Pneumococcal Webinar
Các Immunisation Coalition will host its 2025 pneumococcal webinar on 25 June. Moderated by Dr Andrew Bird, the webinar will feature Angela Newbound.
Date: 25 June 2025
Time: 6:00–7:00 pm (AEST)
Learn more and register on the Immunisation Coalition event page.
Immunisation Coalition webinar: MenB vaccination through general practice
Các Immunisation Coalition is holding a webinar on meningococcal disease, with a focus on menB vaccination, and participation in a GP practice clinical audit. Chaired by A/Prof Roy Rasalam, the session features Prof Robert Booy, Dr Leanne Jones and Ms Sonja Elia.
Ngày: 24 June 2025
Thời gian: 6:30–7:30 pm (AEST)
Learn more and register on the Immunisation Coalition event page.