The Guardian: Israel says 600 children given Covid jab had no serious side-effects
Following an expansion of Israel's COVID-19 vaccination program, around 600 children (≥ 12 years) have received the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Reported side-effects in this age group have been minor and the vaccine has been well tolerated.
Due to the emergence of more transmissible strains of COVID-19, experts have now suggested that in order to achieve herd immunity closer to 90% coverage will be required. In a population of 9 million people, with approximately 1/4 of those aged under 16 years, lowering the age limit for COVID-19 vaccination is an important development for Israel.
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The Guardian: Israel says 600 children given Covid jab had no serious side-effects
TGA：阿斯利康 ChAdOx1-S COVID-19 疫苗
Denmark, Iceland and Norway have temporarily paused the distribution of COVID-19 AstraZeneca as a precautionary measure in response to reports of blood clots following immunisation (including 1 death in Denmark). The European Medicines Agency's safety committee is conducting a rapid review into the events.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have advised that a link has not been confirmed and to date there have been no reports of similar events in Australia. Extensive international vaccination programs have not indicated an increased risk of blood clots associated with the vaccine.
Vaccination with COVID-19 AstraZeneca continues in other countries including the United Kingdom and France.
Please refer to the full alert below for more information:
TGA：阿斯利康 ChAdOx1-S COVID-19 疫苗
Swollen Lymph Nodes Under Armpit After COVID-19 Vaccine May Mimic Breast Cancer Symptoms
The Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) in the United States is recommending women wait at least four weeks after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine to schedule a mammogram due to the potential side-effect of swollen or tender lymph nodes in the armpit. Changes in the lymph nodes can be a sign of breast cancer and the concerns are this could lead to false readings on mammograms leading to further unnecessary testing.
This advice was issued based on the rates of swelling and tenderness in the lymph nodes post the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the United States. Whilst rare in people who have received the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine (which is currently provisionally registered for use in Australia), the SBI notes the incidence rates are most likely higher than reported and accordingly issued the aforementioned advice to separate mammograms from COVID-19 vaccines by four to six weeks.
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ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2021
ATAGI have published recommendations for the influenza vaccine program in 2021. This advice includes vaccine brand and dose information, the timing of administration, funding eligibility criteria as well as the requirement for reporting all vaccine administration to the 澳大利亚免疫登记 (AIR).
To view the recommendations please follow the link below:
ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2021
Incidents after vaccination with AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine
Following reports of 2 temporally associated severe adverse events following immunisation (AEFI), 这 Austrian Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (the national regulatory body for medicines) have halted the supply and distribution of a specific batch of COVID-19 AstraZeneca.
It is important to note that data from clinical trials shows no evidence of a casual relationship and this halt is being utilised as a precautionary measure only. An immediate review of international reports of similar AEFI show no signals for concern. Vaccine rollout using alternate batches of COVID-19 AstraZeneca continues and further investigations are ongoing.
To read the official announcement follow the link below:
Learning from Errors with the New COVID-19 Vaccines
In December 2020 COVID-19 vaccination commenced across the US. This article published by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, discusses various reports of administration and preparation errors that have occurred since the rollout began.
Given the scope of the global COVID-19 vaccination campaign, it is expected that there will be mistakes made. As Australia begins its national rollout, a key learning is ensuring that all COVID-19 vaccine errors and adverse reactions are reported to the relevant authorities to help prevent these types of errors occurring here.
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ISMP: Learning from Errors with the New COVID-19 Vaccines
TGA collecting COVID-19 vaccine side effect reports
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have published a summary of suspected adverse events reported following COVID-19 immunisation since the commencement of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. All reports to date reflect the expected side effects identified in clinical trials for Comirnaty™. Reports include cases of feeling faint, headache, dizziness or nausea. The two cases of administration error in a Brisbane aged care facility have not been associated with any adverse outcomes.
Commencing Wednesday March 3, 2021 the TGA will publish weekly updates on the number of COVID-19 vaccine adverse event reported.
For more information refer to the following link:
TGA collecting COVID-19 vaccine side effect reports
ATAGI COVID-19 疫苗接种决策指南，适用于身体虚弱的老年人，包括居住在老年护理机构中的老年人
ATAGI 发布了一份针对体弱老年人的 COVID-19 疫苗接种决策指南，包括居住在住宅老年护理机构中的老年人，以帮助该人群或其护理人员就接种 COVID-19 疫苗做出明智的决定。
目前在澳大利亚有 2 种疫苗获准用于预防严重的 COVID-19 疾病。它们是免费提供的，较早的优先群体中的老年人口被确定为有资格获得。 TGA 已推荐这两种疫苗用于老年人，两种疫苗均没有年龄上限。
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ATAGI COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy
COVID-19 vaccines are not routinely recommended in pregnancy, however they are not contraindicated.
COVID-19 vaccines can be considered if a pregnant woman has medical risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease or is at a high risk of exposure and contact with people with the virus. Pregnant women have been shown to have an increased risk of needing admission to intensive care and requiring mechanical ventilation if they contract COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant women of the same age. Pregnant women can discuss this with their health provider to ascertain if the potential benefit of receiving a COVID vaccine outweighs any risks.
ATAGI have released a COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy and considering having a COVID-19 vaccine.
Learn more via links below:
墨尔本疫苗教育中心（MVEC）：孕期孕妇疫苗接种 (recently updated)
Effectiveness of First Dose of COVID-19 Vaccines Against Hospital Admissions in Scotland
A recent study in Scotland has investigated the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech) and ChAdOx1 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) COVID-19 vaccines in preventing hospital admissions.
The study across approximately 99% of Scotland’s population (5.4 million people) found that a single dose of either vaccine resulted in significant reductions in COVID-19 related hospitalisations.
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