New Australian CDC
Australia now has its very own Centre for Disease Control (CDC).
Headed by Prof Paul Kelly, the interim Australian CDC launched on 1 January 2024 within the Department of Health and Aged Care. The Australian CDC aims to enhance Australia’s health emergency planning and preparedness, strengthen partnerships with stakeholders and provide transparent and consistent public health advice.
Find out more at the Australian Centre for Disease Control website.
WHO: New polio cases in Indonesia
In December 2023, the Indonesian Ministry of Health notified WHO of two confirmed cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in Java (Central and East).
Two environmental samples taken in East Java were also positive for cVDPV2 in December 2023. Four cases of cVDPV2 infection were reported earlier in 2023 in Aceh province and West Java.
To read more, visit WHO: Disease Outbreak News
Victorian Department of Health: Japanese encephalitis vaccine program
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a rare but potentially serious infection caused by the flavivirus. It is spread to humans through mosquito bites.
Due to recent high rainfall and flooding across large areas of Victoria, the Victorian Department of Health is reminding people to take precautions against mosquito bites, and to get vaccinated if at high risk of exposure to the virus.
Victorian Department of Health: Japanese encephalitis
Launch of National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) program
The Australian government’s National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) program commenced on 1 January 2024.
The NIPVIP allows individuals aged 5 years and over to receive scheduled NIP vaccines in a community pharmacy at no financial cost.
Read more about NIPVIP on the Department of Health and Aged Care website và Pharmacy Programs Administrator website.
TGA: New RSV vaccine
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of respiratory tract infections in young children and is associated with severe respiratory disease in people aged over 60 years.
In January 2024, AREXVY was registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the immunisation of people aged 60 years and older to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV. AREXVY is a recombinant respiratory syncytial virus pre-fusion F protein vaccine. Guidance on its use is yet to come.
TGA: Guidance and resources on AREXVY
Updated immunisation reference page: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of respiratory tract infections in young children. While for some it can cause the common cold, for others, it may lead to more severe infection. Children under 1 year of age, individuals with underlying medical conditions (e.g. chronic cardiac and lung disease), the older population and immunocompromised people are more likely to experience serious disease and hospitalisation.
MVEC has recently updated its RSV reference page to include information about the newly approved AREXVY vaccine and with more detail on RSV symptoms, epidemiology and prevention.
MVEC: Virus hợp bào hô hấp (RSV)
OPTIONS XII for the Control of Influenza: Abstract submissions open
OPTIONS for the Control of Influenza is a global scientific meeting with a dedicated focus on influenza. OPTIONS XII will be held in Brisbane from Sunday 29 September to Wednesday 2 October 2024.
Highlights of this year’s conference include focuses on:
- Pacific Island and First Nations health
- Interdisciplinary science
- Knowledge exchange and networking
- Policy and advocacy.
Abstracts submission is now open. Abstracts must be submitted by Friday 5 April 2024.
Learn more about OPTIONS XII and abstract submission on the OPTIONS XII website.
Mobile-based game designed to fight misinformation around climate change, and now vaccines
The ‘Cranky Uncle’ game – a mobile/web game designed to fight misinformation on climate change – has been adapted into the ‘Cranky Uncle Vaccine’ game for use in East African countries.
Melbourne academic Dr John Cook developed the ‘Cranky Uncle’ game to incentivise players to build resilience against misinformation.
The game relies on inoculation theory as a solution to misinformation. In the game, the cranky uncle character teaches the player techniques of science denial (e.g. fake experts and logical fallacies). The theory is that exposure to a weakened form of misinformation can develop cognitive immunity.
The new ‘Cranky Uncle Vaccine’ game was co-designed through workshops held in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, and informed by a review of studies on vaccine misinformation.
Though it is climate-focused, the original version of the ‘Cranky Uncle’ game provides helpful tools for fighting misinformation in general.
Learn about and play the ‘Cranky Uncle’ game
Read the paper published in the Journal of Health Communication Co-Designing a mobile-based game to improve misinformation resistance and vaccine knowledge in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda
Save the date for MVEC's Immunisation Skills Workshop
Save the date – MVEC will be holding an Immunisation Skills Workshop in Melbourne on Friday 15 March 2024.
More details about the workshop, including information about the program and tickets, will be made available closer to the event. Registration will open in early February.
Read more at Immunisation Skills Workshop – Friday 15 March 2024
Updated immunisation reference page: Injection site nodules
Injection site nodules (ISNs) are a rare adverse event following immunisation (AEFI). Nodules can occur following the administration of an injected vaccine. They are most often asymptomatic, but may be intermittently tender, itchy, or show overlying skin changes. They generally resolve on their own without intervention.
We have recently updated our ISN reference page. The updated page includes information on ISN diagnosis, possible causes, and treatment, and recommendations for future vaccine doses.
MVEC: Các nốt sần tại chỗ tiêm