Immunisation Weekly Update:

Lunch and learn workshop

Addressing vaccine hesitancy

• About: an interactive workshop taking a scenario-based approach to address low vaccine confidence and provide strategies to identify and engage patients who are hesitant to vaccination.
• When: Thursday | 29 June 2023 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm
• Register for workshop
• Pre-event submission: Attendees are encouraged to submit examples of vaccine hesitancy scenarios encountered in practice prior to the event. Email events@cesphn.com.au

Updated ASCIA Anaphylaxis Action Plans – 2023 version

The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) has released new 2023 versions of its Action Plans for Anaphylaxis for improved usability and patient safety. Download now from ASCIA website.

Training modules

Immunisation providers can also access ASCIA’s free online courses for vaccination anaphylaxis management:

• Anaphylaxis e-training for health professionals (1.5 hours)
• Anaphylaxis refresher e-training for health professionals (45 minutes)

Reporting requirements

Reminder: health professionals are required to report adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) – including suspected reactions – particularly if they are unexpected or significant. AEFIs must be reported to:

• The TGA, via the AEFI reporting form
• The Public Health Unit, via phone 1300 066 055 or email MOH-COVIDaefi@health.nsw.gov.au

COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program update

On 6 June 2023, the COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program was updated to include:

• The new ATAGI advice for the preferential use of bivalent mRNA vaccines as a primary course for people aged 12 years or older.
• The decommissioning of additional modules for vaccines no longer available in Australia; Moderna (SPIKEVAX) (red cap), Moderna (SPIKEVAX) (blue cap, purple label) and AstraZeneca (VAXZEVRIA) vaccine.

Use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines as a primary course

On 30 May 2023, ATAGI advised that for people aged 12 and older, a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is now preferred over original (ancestral) vaccines for primary vaccination.

This change to the advice is expected to impact only a small number of Australians who may be considering their primary course COVID-19 vaccination, or parents of children who are coming up to a birthday and are considering their vaccination options:

• People aged 12-17 years are recommended to receive a BA.4/5-containing bivalent vaccine for both the primary course and booster doses.
• People aged 18 years and older are recommended to receive either a BA.1-containing bivalent vaccine or a BA.4/5-containing bivalent vaccine for both the primary course and booster doses.
• People aged 12 and older who have commenced their primary course with an original (ancestral) vaccine are recommended to complete the course with a bivalent vaccine.

New: resource kits and social media tiles

• COVID-19 and influenza – Social media tiles

This collection contains social tile developed for use across social media channels to help promote COVID-19 safe behaviours.

• People with disability – Social media tiles

These social media tiles have been developed for use across social media channels to help promote COVID-19 safe behaviours for people with disability.

• COVID-19 and influenza – Community kit

This collection complies resources found in the COVID-19 and influenza community kit.

• COVID-19 and influenza – Business and organisation kit

This collection compiles resources found in the COVID-19 and influenza, business and organisation kit.

• Top up your COVID-19 protection

Campaign resources on the latest COVID-19 vaccination recommendations, for use in clinics and waiting rooms