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Close this windowATAGI – Clinical guidance on COVID-19 vaccine in Australia in 2021
Latest COVID-19 resources
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have updated their recommendations on the use of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine in 2023.
ATAGI recommends a 2023 COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for adults if:
Recommend 2023 booster dose for:
Consider 2023 booster dose for:
Not recommended for:
When will Moderna bivalent vaccine rollout commence?
Is there an EOI process for Moderna bivalent vaccine?
How can sites order Moderna bivalent vaccine?
Who can receive Moderna bivalent vaccine?
On 3 August 2022, ATAGI released recommendations on COVID-19 vaccine use in children aged 6 months to <5 years.
Recommended for at-risk children:
ATAGI recommends COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to <5 years with severe immunocompromise, disability, and those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions which increase the risk of severe COVID-19. This includes conditions listed in the ATAGI recommendations and similar conditions.
Not recommended for all children:
ATAGI does not currently recommend vaccination for children aged 6 months to <5 years who are not in the risk categories for severe COVID-19.
Dosing and schedule:
Paediatric formulation (25mcg) Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, 2 primary doses 8 weeks apart. Children with severe immunocompromise should receive a 3rd primary dose, 8 weeks after the 2nd dose.
Which patients will be eligible for Paediatric Moderna in Stage 1 of the rollout?
When will vaccination of at-risk children commence?
How many practices will be approved to administer Paediatric Modernain in Stage 1 of the rollout?
Contact coronavirus@cesphn.com.au for further information.
On 25 July 2022, the TGA provisionally approved the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for use in individuals aged 12-17 years. The potential use of this vaccine in the national COVID-19 vaccination program in this age group will be considered by ATAGI who will provide advice to the Government in the coming weeks.
Previously, Novavax was provisionally approved for the use as a primary course and as a booster dose in adults aged 18 years and over.
On 19 July 2022 the TGA provisionally approved a paediatric dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for use in individuals aged 6 months to less than 6 years. The paediatric Moderna vaccine is made in the same way as the Moderna vaccines for older individuals, however it contains a lower concentration of the active ingredient 25 micrograms per 0.25ml (compared to 50 micrograms per 0.25ml).
Immunisation providers should NOT use Moderna in children aged 6 months to less than 6 years until ATAGI provides advice to the Government on these matters in the coming weeks. ATAGI is reviewing data on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on children aged 6 months to <5 years and will provide advice on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in this age group to the Government in the coming weeks.
The COVID-19 reinfection period has been reduced from 12 weeks to 28 days. People who’ve had COVID-19 more than 28 days ago and have new symptoms should stay home, test and isolate if positive.
7 July 2022: ATAGI has updated its recommendations for a winter dose of COVID-19 vaccine to help reduce severe disease from the emerging surge of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariant infections, and to reduce the burden on Australian hospitals and the healthcare system in coming months. The updated recommendations are:
25 May 2022: Expanded ATAGI recommendations on winter COVID-19 booster doses for people at increased risk of severe COVID-19
ATAGI recommendations on the use of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine
ATAGI advice People who have received either a first dose or a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine that is not TGA-approved or TGA-recognised should be offered two doses of an alternative TGA-approved vaccine brand available in Australia to be considered fully vaccinated. People should begin their full course of a TGA-approved or recognised COVID-19 vaccination at an interval of 4 to 12 weeks after their most recent COVID-19 vaccine dose.
All immunisation providers must complete the additional age specific COVID-19 vaccine for children training modules.
Patients resources
Community resources
Provider resources
Provider training
Provider information
Patient information
Provider training
Provider information
Patient information
Patient information
Pericarditis and Myocarditis
Provider information (adult)
Provider resources (children)
Patient information (children)
Patient information (adult)
Patient information
Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)
Websites: Clinical considerations and Advice for vaccine providers
Resource Collection: Advice for COVID-19 vaccine providers and Provider resources
ATAGI guidelines on the management of a range of possible vaccine administration errors, including when a replacement (repeat) dose is recommended.
ATAGI recommendations on the use of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine
This provides an overview of the use of sedation as one of a range of measures to assist in the safe administration of COVID-19 vaccines, in patients with anxiety disorders or needle-phobia.
The AIR042 report identifies patients:
The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service’s online Appointment Reminder Translation Tool allows you to translate appointment details into your client’s language.
The Practice Incentives Program (PIP) COVID-19 in-reach vaccination payment is a time-limited payment to support general practices that undertake in-reach COVID-19 vaccination services for residential aged care and disability support workers in their workplace.
This payment is only available for Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) COVID-19 vaccine suitability assessment services (for primary vaccine course and subsequent booster vaccine doses) that are administered via an in-reach COVID-19 vaccination clinic between 29 April 2021 to 30 June 2022. See payment guidelines.
Please refer to HealthPathways for the current definitions of low, medium and high risk. These definitions will be frequently updated and will differ between the two LHDs
ATAGI advice on the definition of fully vaccinated
Vaccines that are not TGA approved or recognised
ATAGI advice People who have received either a first dose or a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine that is not TGA-approved or TGA-recognised should be offered two doses of an alternative TGA-approved vaccine brand available in Australia to be considered fully vaccinated. People should begin their full course of a TGA-approved or recognised COVID-19 vaccination at an interval of 4 to 12 weeks after their most recent COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Resources
MBS Booster Incentive
Booster dose number
Further information:
Pfizer 12+ shelf-life extension – some batches of Pfizer with manufacturer expiry 28 Feb 2022 have had their shelf life extended. Check information sheet before discarding vials.
What is vaccine wastage?
Vaccine wastage refers to the loss of vaccine doses due to cold chain breaches, expired vials or other damage.
How do you dispose of COVID-19 vaccines?
The COVID-19 Vaccination Training gives details on how to dispose of vaccines:
Reporting requirements for vaccine wastage:
Remember to notify wastage to the Vaccine Operations Centre (VOC) through the COVID-19 Vaccine Administrative System (CVAS):
NSW Health is currently responding to a number of COVID-19 outbreaks all across NSW. Healthcare workers are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19.
The following guides should be adapted to suit your practices procedures and workflows:
Reporting overseas vaccines in AIR
COVID-19 vaccines given overseas that have been recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) can now be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
It is important that country of immunisation and batch number are recorded. A list of all vaccines currently able to be reported to AIR is available on the AIR vaccine code page which is updated regularly.
COVID-19 vaccine brand that is not available in Australia
ATAGI advice People who have received either a first dose or a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine that is not TGA-approved or TGA-recognised should be offered two doses of an alternative TGA-approved vaccine brand available in Australia to be considered fully vaccinated. People should begin their full course of a TGA-approved or recognised COVID-19 vaccination at an interval of 4 to 12 weeks after their most recent COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Information for adults with a needle phobia – 14 Feb 2022
This fact sheet outlines when a vaccine may not be recommended, or when you should postpone your vaccination.
Rapid antigen testing – concessional access program
The Australian government is introducing a temporary Rapid Antigen Test Concessional Access program. This program starts on 24 January 2022 and ends on 30 April 2022.
If you have a valid, eligible Commonwealth concession card, you can access up to 10 rapid antigen tests through participating community pharmacies, at no cost to you. You can access a maximum of 10 rapid antigen tests over the three-month period, but no more than 5 tests in any month.
Register positive COVID test results with Service NSW
See policy on the new COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme which sets out the rules that govern the scheme.
COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme – Policy
COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme – Guidance for conditions
COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme – Guidance for injuries caused by vaccine administration
See accepted proof of vaccination
Exemption
See accepted proof of medical exemption
Valid immunisation medical exemptions must be recorded on the AIR by a medical practitioner, and will appear on a patient’s AIR Immunisation History Statement.
The Department is working with Services Australia on enhancements to the AIR that will allow individuals with a valid medical contraindication to COVID-19 vaccines to generate a COVID-19 Digital Certificate.
If your COVID-19 vaccinations aren’t showing after 10 days, or can’t be updated by the provider, call the Australian Immunisation Register.
Roadmap to freedom
Roadmap for the fully vaccinated – NSW Health
TTS information
TTS information sheet and Risk/Benefit informaiton sheet
Tool to address vaccine concerns: CoRiCal
Covid Risk Calculator (CoRiCal)
Understanding and addressing vaccine hesitancy
Resources to address vaccine hesitancy
Communication tools to address vaccine hesitancy
Translated resources
Supporting communication for the COVID-19 vaccination program – This glossary was developed to help community organisations, translators and interpreters, bilingual workers, and community leaders to better understand and communicate about vaccine development and implementation.
Information for teens/kids
Guidance to help people make informed decisions
Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
COVID-19 vaccine clinics
Find a GP or Pharmacy vaccine clinic – Vaccine Clinic Finder.
NSW Health Vaccination Centre – Book appointment
See list of GP Respiratory Clinics in CESPHN
Vaccine Clinic Finder Connect (VCF Connect) is designed for clinics to self-manage COVID-19 vaccine clinic details on the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder. See RACGP training on VCF Connect. Quick Reference Guide – Vaccine Clinic Finder (VCF) Connect
Contact CV19.Products@Health.gov.au
The CESPHN Vax at Home Service is ONLY for those people who are housebound and not able to leave their house to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or booster (their carers will also be able to be vaccinated).
Patient self-referrals will NOT be accepted. Patients should speak with their GP for referral to this program if appropriate. Referrals will be accepted from general practitioners and from Local Health Districts. More information.
The Vax at Home Service will accept referrals for people 16 years and over. For children 12-16 years with special circumstances and may require further support, referrals will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Referrals MUST be sent through this Vax at Home Service Online Form – for people who are housebound and reside in the Sydney Local Health District or South Eastern Sydney Local Health District regions.
For further information (no referrals) on the program, please email vaxathomeservice@cesphn.com.au
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