Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) COVID-19 Working Group
The role of the 澳大利亚免疫技术咨询小组 (ATAGI) is to provide independent advice to the Minister for Health on all matters relating to immunisation in Australia. In September 2020 ATAGI convened a new SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) working group. The key objectives of this group are to provide advice on COVID-19 immunisation programs and policies, to improve confidence in COVID-19 vaccines and to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines as they become available in Australia.
To learn more, please see below:
澳大利亚政府卫生部：澳大利亚免疫技术咨询小组 (ATAGI) COVID-19 工作组
EMA starts first rolling review of a COVID-19 vaccine in the EU
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has begun a "rolling review" of the AstraZeneca Oxford SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate. Normal regulatory processes for medicines involve the submission of all safety and efficacy data to the Agency at the completion of clinical trials. A "rolling review" means that the Agency can begin evaluating data as it becomes available. By employing this method of approval, the regulation process will maintain its usual quality and safety standards, but be shorter than the usual process due to the time gained by reviewing data as it becomes available.
To learn more please read below:
EMA starts first rolling review of a COVID-19 vaccine in the EU
Frontiers in Immunology: Progress and Pitfalls in the Quest for Effective SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccines
With over 200 COVID-19 vaccine candidates currently in pre-clinical and clinical trials, the following article reviews what we know about the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and explores the various vaccine platforms being utilised to develop a safe and effective vaccine. Potential issues including adverse effects and the need for mass production are also discussed, as well as the challenges of rapid and equitable vaccine delivery.
Read the article in full here:
NEJM: Evaluating and Deploying Covid-19 Vaccines — The Importance of Transparency, Scientific Integrity, and Public Trust
The following article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, discusses the importance of adhering to well-established and transparent regulatory processes when it comes to approving a COVID-19 vaccine. Reassuring the public with robust scientific evaluation from independent bodies, without interference from governments for the purposes of political advantage, is essential to promote public confidence and ensure the success of vaccination programs.
Read the article in full here:
Halting the Oxford vaccine trial doesn't mean it's not safe- it shows they're following the right process
Due to a single event of an unexplained illness, the AstraZeneca Oxford group have announced a voluntary pause on all vaccinations across all sites of their COVID-19 vaccine candidate clinical trial. This pause will allow an independent committee to review the safety data and investigate the incident.
The following article, published in The Conversation, outlines how this halt doesn't necessarily indicate that the vaccine is not safe, but reflects the robust processes for clinical trials. It is important to recognise that whilst these clinical trials are moving at pandemic speed, safety is not being compromised.
2020年流感疫苗——现在接种还不算太晚
流感疾病可能在一年中的任何时间发生，建议 6 个月以上的每个人都接种疫苗。某些患者群体有资格获得国家免疫计划 (NIP) 资助的流感疫苗。不符合资助标准的人也可以购买。
有关 2020 年流感疫苗接种的更多信息，请参阅以下资源：
Australian Government Department of Health: 2020 influenza vaccines- it's not too late to get vaccinated
MVEC：流感疫苗建议
MVEC：流感疫苗 - 常见问题
Africa declared free of wild polio
After 4 years without a case of wild polio, the African region has been declared free of wild poliovirus. MVEC congratulates the efforts of everyone involved in accomplishing such a tremendous achievement which has been described by WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as "one of the greatest public health achievements of our time". This milestone means that Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only 2 countries worldwide who continue to see wild poliovirus transmission.
To read more on this remarkable effort please follow the links:
Africa kicks out wild polio
WHO: Global polio eradication initiative applauds WHO African region for wild polio-free certification
Zostavax safety advice: not to be administered to people with compromised immune function
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have issued a reminder that Zostavax® vaccine should not be administered to people with compromised immune function. Vaccination in this patient group is contraindicated and can result in infection with the vaccine virus causing mild to severe complications (including death).
Further details on the alert can be seen here: TGA: Zostavax® vaccine
For more information on Zostavax® and access to the Zostavax® GP decision aid please review the MVEC pages below:
MVEC：带状疱疹
MVEC: Zoster vaccine (Zostavax®) FAQ's
The use of foetal tissue in vaccine development
There has been attention in the media recently regarding the use of foetal cell lines by the Oxford Vaccine Group to develop their COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Cell lines are currently used to manufacture many vaccines including varicella, hepatitis A, rabies and MMR vaccines.
The below information from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHoP) discusses the background behind using these cell lines in vaccine development as well as any potential ethical or religious concerns surrounding this.
Vaccine ingredients- Fetal tissues
The RCH Immunisation Service: Drive-through clinic is now open
To support families in continuing to receive scheduled vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, the RCH Immunisation Service has just opened its own immunisation drive-through clinic. Additional precautions have been implemented to ensure the safety of all patients, families and staff. Access to medical care remains an essential service during this time and staying up to date with scheduled immunisations is encouraged.
The drive-through clinic will operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am - 1pm until September 15.
Bookings for the drive-through clinic are mandatory and can be made by contacting the immunisation team via this link.