New home for COVID-19 information
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria has now moved all COVID-19 information to a new home on the Better Health Channel. Check the website for consumer and clinician information on disease prevention, testing, treatment, long covid, and special risk group advice.
Better Health: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria
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
Mobile-based game designed to fight misinformation around climate change, and now vaccines
The ‘Cranky Uncle’ game – a mobile/web game designed to fight misinformation on climate change – has been adapted into the ‘Cranky Uncle Vaccine’ game for use in East African countries.
Melbourne academic Dr John Cook developed the ‘Cranky Uncle’ game to incentivise players to build resilience against misinformation.
The game relies on inoculation theory as a solution to misinformation. In the game, the cranky uncle character teaches the player techniques of science denial (e.g. fake experts and logical fallacies). The theory is that exposure to a weakened form of misinformation can develop cognitive immunity.
The new ‘Cranky Uncle Vaccine’ game was co-designed through workshops held in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, and informed by a review of studies on vaccine misinformation.
Though it is climate-focused, the original version of the ‘Cranky Uncle’ game provides helpful tools for fighting misinformation in general.
Learn about and play the ‘Cranky Uncle’ game
Read the paper published in the Journal of Health Communication Co-Designing a mobile-based game to improve misinformation resistance and vaccine knowledge in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda
MMWR: Progress in Immunization Safety Monitoring
A recent report shows that national AEFI (adverse event following immunisation) surveillance systems increasingly support the timely sharing of immunisation safety data, including individual case-based reports. When shared globally, individual case safety reports contribute to the description of trends and regional characteristics of AEFIs.
But work is still needed to strengthen global vaccine safety monitoring, and to promote public confidence in national vaccine programs.
MMWR: Progress in Immunization Safety Monitoring
GAVI: HPV vaccine roll-out in Nigeria
In late October, Nigeria began its public roll-out of the HPV vaccine.
After initial scepticism over the vaccine, community leaders campaigned to ensure the vaccine reaches all girls in the eligible age bracket.
Gavi reports, in great detail, on how the campaigners tackled misinformation and educated community member. Read more 这里.