Mirage News: Australia declared free from bird flu in poultry
The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has declared the eradication of H7 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry in Victoria. There have been no new cases on H7 HPAI since 24 February 2025.
Avian influenza (bird flu) viruses are classified as low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) or HPAI. HPAIs generally cause severe disease and higher mortality than LPAIs.
Mirage News: Australia free from bird flu in poultry
CHOP: 9,000 reasons for routine childhood hepatitis B vaccination
这 Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) recently published an article outlining the importance of hepatitis B vaccination. Key points include:
- hepatitis B virus and its proteins can be transmitted in amounts of blood not detectable to the naked eye and the virus can live for up to 7 days on surfaces and objects; this means it can be transmitted in unexpected ways
- babies infected early in life – whether through undiagnosed hepatitis B in their mother or unwitting exposure to infected blood – often develop chronic, undiagnosed hepatitis B which they then continue to spread
- hepatitis B vaccines are safe and they work.
Read the full article here
For more information, go to MVEC：乙型肝炎
National Immunisation Strategy for Australia 2025–2030
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing recently published Australia’s latest 5-year national immunisation strategy, to increase and sustain immunisation uptake in Australia.
The strategy defines 6 priority areas:
- improve access to immunisation, with a focus on equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other priority populations
- build trust, understanding and acceptance of immunisation in communities
- use data more effectively to target immunisation strategies and monitor performance
- strengthen the immunisation workforce
- harness new technologies to respond to the evolving communicable disease and vaccine landscape
- implement sustainable reform in vaccine program governance, program delivery and accountability.
Read the strategy in full on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
NEJM: Measles 2025
A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) reviews the current epidemiology of measles and addresses recommendations for prevention.
The authors note that the recommended age for the first dose of measles-containing vaccine depends on the waning of maternal antibodies and the risk of measles exposure. The review highlights immunity gaps in young infants, and examines the utility of an early or additional vaccine dose for more effective protection.
Read the article in full here: Do LAH, Mulholland K. Measles 2025. N Engl J Med. Published online June 25, 2025. doi:10.1056/NEJMra2504516
WHO: Measles case data for the Western Pacific Region
TGA: Correct administration of RSV vaccine and antibody products
这 治疗用品管理局 (TGA) has recently published a safety update with advice on how to avoid errors when administering RSV vaccine and antibody products.
The advice has been published in response to reports of administration errors. The article reminds prescribers and providers that each product is indicated for different patient groups, includes a summary of RSV products and administration errors, and provides advice for preventing errors.
MVEC recently published an error alert on RSV products, which outlines RSV errors reported in Victoria. This alert summarises error prevention, and procedures to follow in the event of an error.
Read the TGA article in full
MVEC：呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）
MVEC: Vaccine errors: prevention, management and open disclosure (eLearning course)
MVEC: Flyers for ‘Abrysvo for pregnant people’ flyer
NIP: Change to measles-containing vaccine supply
From 1 July 2025, there are new arrangements for the supply of measles-containing vaccines under the 国家免疫计划（NIP）. Whereas previously both GSK and CLS supplied these vaccines, now only GSK will supply them.
Vaccine providers cannot place new orders for CSL’s M-M-R II (MMR) or Varivax (varicella). But existing stock should still be used until it either expires or runs out.
Providers can now only order GSK’s Priorix (MMR), Priorix-Tetra (MMR) and Varilrix (varicella).
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.
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：麻疹
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：呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）.
ABC: Australia's childhood vaccination rates are declining, sparking fears about risk to herd immunity
这 ABC reports childhood vaccination rates have steadily declined since COVID-19.
The article highlights decreases in vaccination rates overall among 2-year-old children and HPV vaccine uptake among teens. Experts and those with lived experience of vaccine-preventable disease emphasise the importance of herd protection and risks associated with disease.
Read the ABC’s full article 了解更多信息。
NCIRS: Interim coverage data for 2024