WHO prequalifies new dengue vaccine
On 10 May 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved a new vaccine for dengue prevention. The vaccine, called Q-denga or TAK-003 is a live-attenuated vaccine containing weakened versions of the four serotypes of the virus that cause dengue.
WHO recommends the use of TAK-003 in children aged 6 to 16 years in settings with high dengue burden and transmission intensity. The vaccine should be administered in a 2-dose schedule with a 3-month interval between doses.
TAK-003 is the second dengue vaccine to be prequalified by WHO (the first was Dengvaxia, or CYD-TDV). WHO prequalification of medicines is a service provided by WHO to assess the quality, safety and efficacy of medicinal products. Prequalification is intended to give aid and international procurement agencies the choice of a wide range of quality medicines for bulk purchase in resource-limited countries.
Read more on the WHO website: WHO prequalifies new dengue vaccine
Expansion of the National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program
As of 29 April, the NIPVIP program has been expanded to allow pharmacies to claim payment for the administration of National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccinations in residential aged care and disability homes.
Read more on the Department of Health and Aged Care website
MVEC: Launch of the National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program (February 2024)
ABC: AstraZeneca withdraws COVID-19 vaccine citing a decline in demand
AstraZeneca has commenced a global withdrawal of the COVID-19 vaccine Vaxzevria, which has not been available in Australia since March 2023.
The withdrawal is due to a surplus of available updated vaccines, which has caused a decline in demand for Vaxzevria.
Read more at ABC: AstraZeneca withdraws COVID-19 vaccine citing a decline in demand
MVEC：COVID-19
MVEC: Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)
Local transmission of mpox in Victoria
On 29 April 2024, the Victorian Department of Health issued an alert regarding local transmission of mpox in Victoria. Three new locally acquired cases have been reported.
Mpox is a viral infection that can lead to severe illness and require hospitalisation. Mpox symptoms can occur up to 21 days after exposure. Anyone who has been in close and usually prolonged intimate contact with someone with mpox is at risk.
Free vaccination is available for those who meet certain eligibility criteria.
Victorian Department of Health Alert: Local transmission of mpox in Victoria
WHO: Nigeria begins rollout of new Men5CV vaccine
Nigeria is the first country in the world to roll out the new Men5CV vaccine. Men5CV protects recipients against five strains of the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria (A, C, W, Y and X).
Nigeria is one of the 26 meningitis-endemic countries of Africa, in the area known as the Meningitis Belt. Between 1 October 2023 and 11 March 2024, Nigeria reported 1,742 suspected meningococcal C cases, including 101 confirmed cases and 153 deaths.
The vaccination campaign aims to reach more than one million people aged 1 to 29 years.
WHO: In world first, Nigeria introduces new 5-in-1 vaccine against meningitis
WHO: 'Global hepatitis report 2024' highlights number of deaths due to hepatitis increasing
According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) 'Global hepatitis report 2024', viral hepatitis and tuberculosis were the second leading causes of death among communicable diseases in 2022, after COVID-19.
WHO estimates approximately 1.3 million people died of viral hepatitis in 2022 and 6,000 people are newly infected with viral hepatitis each day. An estimated 12% of the disease burden is among children.
WHO: Global hepatitis report 2024
Chemical Communications: Developing a vaccine for street drug xylazine
Researchers are developing a vaccine which blocks the toxic effects of the drug xylazine, a drug which has been a cause of many overdose deaths in the illicit drug trade in the USA and the UK.
The vaccine has worked in mice, although no human trials have been undertaken. The study findings have been published in the journal Chemical Communications.
Updated immunisation reference page: Q fever
MVEC has updated its Q fever reference page to reflect the recent closure of the Australian Q Fever Register.
All Q fever vaccines administered should now be reported exclusively to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). Those who have previously been vaccinated against Q fever, or who have previously registered their natural immunity on the Australian Q Fever Register, should ensure their AIR record is up to date.
MVEC: Q fever records now to be added to AIR
MVEC: Q fever
State-based influenza vaccine programs announced in Qld and WA
Queensland and Western Australia have each announced free influenza vaccine programs for 2024.
In Queensland, all residents aged 6 months and older can access the influenza vaccine for free in 2024. The program will conclude on 30 September 2024.
In Western Australia, free influenza vaccines will be available for people aged 6 months and older during the months of May and June.
Influenza vaccination is funded through the National Immunisation Program (NIP) across Australia for:
- 6个月至5岁以下的儿童
- all adults aged 65 years and older
- specific populations aged 5 to 64 years who are greater risk of devleoping complications from influenza.
Queensland Health: 2024 Free flu vaccination program
Government of Western Australia: Free flu jabs available throughout May and June 2024
MVEC：流感
Victorian Department of Health: Nurse immunisers, pharmacist immunisers and ATSIHP immunisers approved to administer Arexvy
In Victoria, nurse immunisers, pharmacist immunisers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner (ATSIHP) immunisers are authorised to administer the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine Arexvy.
RSV is a virus that causes both upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Arexvy is used to prevent RSV in people aged 60 years and older, and is recommended for:
- All adults aged 75 years and older
- First Nations adults aged 60 years and older
- adults aged 60 to 74 years with certain medical conditions.
Read more about Arexvy and RSV on our RSV reference page.