New immunisation reference page: Febrile seizures (Febrile convulsions)
Febrile seizures are typically triggered by a sudden rise in temperature and more commonly occur in very young children. Febrile seizures can be classified as simple or complex, with 1 in 30 children experiencing a febrile seizure at some point during their childhood.
Although vaccines can cause fevers, febrile seizures following vaccination are not common.
Our new reference page provides an overview of febrile seizures and outlines the recommendations following a vaccine proximate seizure.
要阅读更多信息，请点击以下链接：
MVEC: Febrile seizures (Febrile convulsions)
ATAGI Advice on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose intervals and COVID-19 vaccination post infection
ATAGI have provided updated advice on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose intervals and COVID-19 vaccination post infection.
It is now recommended that the dose interval between primary doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines should be extended to 8 weeks, with the extended dose interval shown to improve effectiveness and immune response to vaccination, as well as potentially also reduce the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis.
ATAGI have also recommended that COVID-19 vaccination is deferred 3 months following COVID-19 infection to optimise protection.
To read the updated recommendations in full, please click on the link below.
ATAGI Advice on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose intervals and COVID-19 vaccination post infection
SMH: The flu shot: when is it safe to get it after having COVID?
With flu season underway in Australia and an increasing number of cases already confirmed, people are encouraged not to delay their yearly influenza vaccine, which is recommended for anyone 6 months of age and over.
The article features MVEC’s A/Prof Nigel Crawford, who addresses the key considerations such as ideal timing for the influenza vaccination, considerations for people with underlying medical conditions, advice for parents regarding children, and when to get the influenza vaccine post COVID-19 infection.
要阅读全文，请点击以下链接：
SMH: The flu shot: when is it safe to get it after having COVID?
有关流感疫苗和 2022 年流感季节的更多信息，请参阅我们的以下资源：
Mandatory influenza vaccination for healthcare workers
As of the 8日 April, 2022, influenza vaccination will become a requirement for healthcare workers under the 2020 年卫生服务修正案（医护人员强制接种疫苗）法.
Healthcare workers subject to these Directions are required to be vaccinated against influenza by 15 August 2022 and annually thereafter.
For further information please refer to Department of Health: Vaccination for healthcare workers
CDC: Hospitalizations of Children Aged 5–11 Years with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19
A recent CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) analysed COVID-19 associated hospitalisation rates in children aged 5–11 years during the Omicron-predominant period and the Delta-predominant period.
Hospitalisation rates in unvaccinated children were approximately double those of vaccinated children. Severe disease was more likely to occur in children with a history of diabetes and obesity, with one-third of hospitalised children during the Omicron period having had an underlying neurological condition. Racial and ethnic minority groups were disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Further, the analysis suggests that vaccination of children aged 5-11 years reduces the risk for infection, protects against COVID-19–associated illness and prevents multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.
To read the full report, click on the link below.
CDC: Hospitalizations of Children Aged 5–11 Years with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19
The Conversation: COVID-19 vaccines for the youngest children may be inching closer to authorization – a pediatrician explains how they’re being tested
COVID-19 vaccines offer safe and effective protection against severe disease and are strongly recommended for everyone over the age of 5 years. While children often experience milder symptoms of disease than adults, US data obtained during the Omicron surge in cases shows a significant spike in the rates of hospitalisation in children under 5.
This article explores the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in children of different age groups, the safety and efficacy considerations for vaccinating children under 5, and an approximate timeline for next steps regarding this cohort.
To read the article in full, please click on the link below.
ATAGI statement on use of booster doses in adolescents aged 12-15 years
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released a statement on booster doses in adolescents aged 12-15 years.
Following their review of evidence on the benefits and risks of a booster dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents in Australia aged 12-15 years, ATAGI does not recommend that adolescents aged 12-15 years need to receive a booster dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and will continue to review international evidence on efficacy of a booster in this age group.
ATAGI continue to strongly recommend vaccination of all young people aged 5 to 15 years with 2 primary doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, including those who may have previously had COVID-19. 3 primary doses are recommended for those in this age group who are severely immunocompromised.
For more information please refer to the link below:
ATAGI statement on use of booster doses in adolescents aged 12-15 years
ATAGI advice on use of sedation for COVID-19 vaccination
ATAGI has provided guidance regarding the use of sedation in individuals with anxiety disorders, needle phobia or behavioural disorders, to assist vaccine providers in delivering COVID-19 vaccines.
The advice outlines:
- indications for sedation
- safety implications of delivering vaccines under sedation
- procedural sedation guidelines
- post-vaccination observation recommendations
- opportunistic vaccination during sedation for an unrelated procedure
To read the ATAGI recommendations in full, please click on the link below:
ATAGI advice on use of sedation for COVID-19 vaccination
For further information on strategies to manage needle phobia and immunisation, including sedation, please click on the link below:
MVEC：针头恐惧症
Moderna: COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 2/3 Study in Children 6 Months to ≤ 6 Years successfully meets its primary endpoint
Moderna has announced interim data from the Phase 2/3 KidCOVE COVID-19 vaccine study ahead of its submission to global regulatory bodies.
Approximately 4,200 children aged 2 to <6 years and 2,500 children aged 6 months to <2 years were recruited across the U.S. and Canada with participants receiving 2 doses of 25 μg, 28 days apart (a lower dose compared with older age groups).
Moderna reports immunogenicity consistent with that seen in adults (18-25 years) receiving doses of 100mcg with a vaccine efficacy of 43.7% in those aged 6 months to <2 years and 37.5% in those aged 2 to <6 years. Omicron was the predominant COVID-19 strain circulating during this trial.
Adverse events following vaccination were reported as mild or moderate and more frequently associated with dose two. No deaths, myocarditis, pericarditis, or cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) were reported. Independent safety monitoring will continue for 12 months following the second dose.
To read the press release in full, please click on the link below:
COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 2/3 Study in Children 6 Months to ≤ 6 Years successfully meets its primary endpoint
ATAGI 关于冬季加强剂量 COVID-19 疫苗建议的声明
作为冬季准备工作的一部分，ATAGI 已为被确定为患严重 COVID-19 疾病风险最高的特定人群提供了额外的 COVID-19 疫苗冬季加强剂量的建议。 这些团体包括：
- ≥ 65 岁的个人
- 老年护理或残疾护理机构的居民
- ≥ 16 岁的个人 严重的免疫功能低下
- 50 岁以上的原住民和托雷斯海峡岛民。
根据 2022 年流感疫苗接种计划，将于 4 月开始推出冬季加强剂，两种疫苗可以在适当的情况下联合接种。 COVID-19 疫苗的冬季加强剂量可以从前一次加强剂量/确认的 SARS-CoV-2 感染（以较晚者为准）起 ≥ 4 个月开始接种。
mRNA 疫苗（Comirnaty（辉瑞）或 Spikevax（Moderna））仍然是用作加强剂量的推荐品牌，Vaxzevria（阿斯利康）可用于对 mRNA 疫苗有禁忌症的人。 Nuvaxovid (Novavax) 可用于认为没有其他疫苗品牌适合的情况。
ATAGI 表示，目前没有足够的证据支持为其他人提供额外助推器的建议。对于这些群体，通过 COVID-19 疫苗初级疗程和随后的 1 剂加强剂的保护继续提供良好的保护，避免因 COVID-19 疾病住院。随着更多证据的出现，未来可能会考虑进一步的建议。
要完整阅读建议，请点击以下链接。
ATAGI 关于冬季加强剂量 COVID-19 疫苗建议的声明