Cases of measles rising around the world
Rates of measles have been rising around the world. There were 127 cases in the United Kingdom in January 2024, leading the UK Health Security Agency to declare a National Incident.
In Australia, there were 5 confirmed measles cases in January 2024. This includes 3 in Victoria, 1 in ACT and 1 in Queensland.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a 30-fold increase in measles cases across Europe from 2022 to 2023.
These data remind us of the importance of achieving and maintaining over 95% coverage with 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine.
New Australian CDC
Australia now has its very own Centre for Disease Control (CDC).
Headed by Prof Paul Kelly, the interim Australian CDC launched on 1 January 2024 within the Department of Health and Aged Care. The Australian CDC aims to enhance Australia’s health emergency planning and preparedness, strengthen partnerships with stakeholders and provide transparent and consistent public health advice.
Find out more at the Australian Centre for Disease Control website.
WHO: New polio cases in Indonesia
In December 2023, the Indonesian Ministry of Health notified WHO of two confirmed cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in Java (Central and East).
Two environmental samples taken in East Java were also positive for cVDPV2 in December 2023. Four cases of cVDPV2 infection were reported earlier in 2023 in Aceh province and West Java.
To read more, visit WHO: Disease Outbreak News
Victorian Department of Health: Japanese encephalitis vaccine program
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a rare but potentially serious infection caused by the flavivirus. It is spread to humans through mosquito bites.
Due to recent high rainfall and flooding across large areas of Victoria, the Victorian Department of Health is reminding people to take precautions against mosquito bites, and to get vaccinated if at high risk of exposure to the virus.
Victorian Department of Health: Japanese encephalitis
Launch of National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) program
The Australian government’s National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) program commenced on 1 January 2024.
The NIPVIP allows individuals aged 5 years and over to receive scheduled NIP vaccines in a community pharmacy at no financial cost.
Read more about NIPVIP on the Department of Health and Aged Care website 和 Pharmacy Programs Administrator website.
TGA: New RSV vaccine
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of respiratory tract infections in young children and is associated with severe respiratory disease in people aged over 60 years.
In January 2024, AREXVY was registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the immunisation of people aged 60 years and older to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV. AREXVY is a recombinant respiratory syncytial virus pre-fusion F protein vaccine. Guidance on its use is yet to come.
TGA: Guidance and resources on AREXVY
Updated immunisation reference page: Q fever
We have recently updated our Q fever reference page.
Q fever is caused by infection with the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. People at highest risk of exposure are those in close contact with animals and animal products. Despite being a vaccine-preventable disease, there are around 500 cases of Q fever reported across Australia every year.
The updated page provides greater detail on what Q fever is, its symptoms, complications, epidemiology and prevention.
更新免疫参考页：日本脑炎
维多利亚州卫生部最近扩大了地方政府高风险地区名单，提高了日本脑炎疫苗接种的资格标准。因此，MVEC 关于日本脑炎的参考页面已更新。
现在建议居住在 Campaspe、Gannawarra、Greater Shepparton、Indigo、Loddon、Mildura、Moira、Swan Hill、Wodonga、Towong、Benalla、Wangaratta、Strathbogie、Buloke、Greater Bendigo 等地方政府辖区的 2 个月以上的个人接种疫苗, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera 和 Yarriambiak 谁：
- 经常花时间在户外从事使他们面临蚊虫叮咬风险的活动
- 正在经历无家可归或生活在蚊子保护有限的条件下（例如帐篷或暴露的住宅）
- 从事户外洪水恢复工作（这也适用于作为洪水恢复工作的一部分部署的来自其他地区的个人）。
要查看完整的更新页面，请参阅以下链接：
NCIRS 网络研讨会 - COVID-19 和 2023 年流感疫苗接种更新
这 国家免疫研究和监测中心 (NCIRS) 将于澳大利亚东部标准时间 2023 年 3 月 16 日中午 12 点举办年度流感网络研讨会，讨论 2023 年 COVID-19 和流感疫苗接种的最新建议。
该领域的领先专家将介绍：
- 从最近北半球冬季管理 COVID-19 和流感的经验中吸取教训
- 最新的澳大利亚 COVID-19 疫苗接种加强剂建议
- 2023 年澳大利亚针对整个生命周期的流感疫苗接种建议，包括针对 0-5 岁儿童的重要变化。
医疗保健提供者可以注册参加此活动 这里.
ATAGI 关于 2023 年 COVID-19 加强剂量的建议
ATAGI 发布了新的管理建议 新冠肺炎 2023 年的加强剂量。该建议取代了之前的加强剂量建议。
证据表明，新出现的 Omicron 亚变体降低了先前剂量疫苗提供的保护和/或缩短了保护时间。随着冬季的临近，接种 COVID-19 加强剂旨在预防严重感染和住院治疗。
ATAGI 特别推荐以下情况的加强剂量：
- 所有 65 岁及以上的成年人
- 患有某些疾病的 18-64 岁成年人如果被感染可能会增加出现严重症状的风险。
以下人群也应考虑加强剂量：
- 所有 18-64 岁的成年人
- 患有残疾或身体状况的 5-17 岁儿童和青少年如果被感染可能会增加出现严重症状的风险。
可以在最后一次接种疫苗后 6 个月或确诊感染后 6 个月（以较晚者为准）后的任何时间接种疫苗，最好是在 6 月之前。澳大利亚提供的所有 COVID-19 疫苗均提供保护，但二价 mRNA 疫苗是符合条件的人群加强剂量的首选：
- 辉瑞的二价疫苗可以从12岁开始接种
- Moderna的二价疫苗可以从18岁开始接种
- 5-11 岁可以接种适合年龄的原装疫苗。
有关详细信息，请参阅 ATAGI 2023助推器建议