New immunisation reference page: Multi-dose vials
Our new reference page Multi-dose vials details the safe preparation and storage of vaccines from multi-dose vials that require reconstitution and from those that do not, as well as infection control and storage and handling principles to consider.
To access this resource please visit our 免疫参考 or follow the link below:
Imperial College London survey suggests confidence in coronavirus vaccines is rising globally
A recent survey from the Imperial College London’s Institute of Global Health Innovation has shown that willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine is increasing.
The survey was initially run in November 2020 across 15 countries and demonstrated that just 41% of people would be willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time. This number has risen to 54% in results from the same survey, run again in January 2021. Results demonstrated vast differences in attitudes towards vaccination based on location, with 78% of people surveyed in the UK willing to be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine. People in France demonstrated the least willingness, with 44% of people stating they would not be vaccinated.
The survey further demonstrated that worry over vaccine side effects has decreased in 9 of the 15 countries who participated. The report is part of a global effort to monitor health related behaviours and attitudes during the pandemic to inform decision-makers based on a country’s needs.
Read more about the results of the survey via the link below:
Imperial College London: Confidence in coronavirus vaccines is rising globally, survey suggests
ASCIA release COVID-19 vaccination position statement
The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) have released a position statement on COVID-19 vaccination. The statement reflects the COVID-19 vaccines the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted provisional approval for use in Australia, as well as vaccines that may also be granted provisional approval in the future. It contains guidance based on current data for COVID-19 vaccination in people with allergic conditions, immunodeficiencies and autoimmune conditions, pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under 16 years of age.
You can access the full statement via the link below:
ASCIA: Allergy, Immunodeficiency, Autoimmunity and COVID-19 Vaccination Position Statement
Community pharmacies to participate in COVID-19 vaccination program
The Australian Government has announced an expression of interest (EOI) process has begun for community pharmacies to participate in the COVID-19 vaccination program.
Participation is voluntary, with pharmacies needing to demonstrate their capacity, capability and ability to meet high safety standards.
Eligible pharmacies would be able to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to priority populations from phase 2a of the of Australian COVID-19 vaccination rollout strategy (expected to be in May 2021). They would be incentivised to provide both doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in an effort to increase uptake of the vaccine.
Read more about this in the Health Minister’s statement via the link below:
Community Pharmacy to join COVID-19 vaccine workforce
ATAGI advice on influenza and COVID-19 vaccines
这 澳大利亚免疫技术咨询小组 (ATAGI) have published advice related to the administration of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.
Due to a lack of safety and immunogenicity data on the co-administration of these vaccines, it is therefore recommended that influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are not administered on the same day, but with a minimum interval of 14 days. There is no preference regarding the order of vaccine administration, noting that both the Oxford/AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines require a 2-dose schedule. If influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are inadvertently administered on the same day or are administered within a shorter timeframe than 14 days, revaccination with either vaccine is not recommended.
To read the advice in full, refer to the link below:
ATAGI advice on influenza and COVID-19 vaccines
GACVS COVID-19 Vaccine Safety subcommittee meeting to review reports of deaths of very frail elderly individuals vaccinated with Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, BNT162b2
The role of the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) is to provide independent, expert advice to the World Health Organization on the safety of vaccines.
On January 19 2021 a virtual meeting was held to review all available information on the deaths reported in frail, elderly individuals who had received the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Following this review, it was concluded that vaccination has not contributed to any unexpected or increase in number of fatalities in this patient group. As such, there is no change in recommendations around safety of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
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Complete program for the CVU Miniseries virtual event now available
The next Clinical Vaccinology Update Miniseries event, COVID-19 vaccines: a Victorian landscape, will be held virtually on February 8th, 2021.
We are excited to welcome our presenters who will be covering the COVID-19 vaccine landscape in Victoria, including vaccine safety, Victorian COVID-19 vaccine rollout plans and stakeholder engagement and participation.
This is a free event, however you will need to register for tickets via the link below, where you can also view the complete program:
CVU Miniseries: February 8, 2021
New immunisation reference page: COVAX Facility
The COVAX Facility is coordinated by Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organization. It brings together governments of over 180 countries, global health organisations, private sector, scientists and manufacturers, in order to provide innovative and equitable access to COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments and vaccines. Our new reference page details information on the COVAX Facility COVID-19 vaccine portfolio.
To read more please refer to the link below:
New immunisation reference pages: COVID-19 vaccines
In 2020, the Australian Government entered into four Advance Purchase Agreements (APA) for the supply of COVID-19 vaccines, if they prove safe and effective. More than $3.3 billion has been invested through these agreements, putting Australia in a strong position to access safe and effective vaccines when they become available. In 2021, three of these vaccines are still active, with the 4日 (University of Queensland) withdrawn from clinical trials. Our new reference pages detail information regarding the clinical trials of each vaccine candidate, interim data on their safety and efficacy, as well as other vaccine specific information.
To read more please refer to the links below:
- MVEC: University of Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
- MVEC: Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
- MVEC: Novavax COVID-19 vaccine
CNN: How some states are administering Covid-19 vaccines at twice the speed of others
Data from the CDC reveals that of the 31 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine that have been distributed to the various jurisdictions in the United States, only 39% (12.2 million doses) have actually been administered. Those states with the highest vaccination rates have suggested that preparation, communication and strategic planning have been vital in vaccine rollout.
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CNN: How some states are administering Covid-19 vaccines at twice the speed of others