Immunisation Weekly Update:

Vaxelis factsheet

Vaxelis® is a combination vaccine designed to protect infants and young children against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). It was added to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) on 1 July 2023 as an alternative vaccine to Infanrix hexa®, for use in for children at 2, 4 and 6 months of age.

This factsheet contains six general facts and six disease-specific facts about Vaxelis.

Updated COVID-19 vaccine comparison poster

The recently updated COVID-19 vaccine comparison poster provides key differences between each COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia as per the ATAGI guidelines.

Updated NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards

The NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards and Authority have been revised with the following key changes:

• inclusion of meningococcal B, haemophilus influenzae type b and varicella vaccines to people aged 5 years and over;
• removal of reference to diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis combination vaccine and measles-mumps-rubella combination vaccine;
• addition of diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, pertussis antigen, measles vaccine, mumps vaccine and rubella vaccine to enable pharmacist immuniser to administer the vaccines in varying combinations e.g. ADT and MMRV;
• lowering of the age that pharmacist immunisers can administer vaccines protecting against diphtheria, measles, meningococcal ACWY, mumps, pertussis, rubella and tetanus to people aged 5 years and over, and administer human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to people aged 9 years and over.

Resources on the NSW Health webpage have been updated including the vaccine eligibility table.

Dealing with requests for vaccination exemption

There are few valid reasons to sign an Immunisation Medical Exemption form. It is important that general practitioners understand what these are, and how to manage common vaccine concerns that may contribute to exemption requests.

Medical exemptions to vaccination in NSW states there are two permanent exemptions to vaccination: anaphylaxis to vaccine/vaccine component and significant immunocompromise (live attenuated vaccines only). Information on medical contraindications to each vaccine are detailed in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

NSW Health offers a specialist immunisation service for clinicians and families. The NSW Immunisation Specialist Service (NSWISS) provides clinical advice and support on immunisation needs for patients with complex of unusual backgrounds or who have had an adverse event following immunisation. Practitioners are encouraged to use this service to support clinical practice and management of medical contraindications to vaccinations.

Further resources

• NSW Health Policy Directive Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases – for NSW Health Staff
• NCIRS Dealing with requests for vaccination exemption

Authorised Nurse Immuniser Scholarships

CESPHN is inviting practice nurses in our region to register their interest in completing an Authorised Nurse Immuniser qualification by filling out this waitlist form.

Webinar: Vaccination for people with disability

This NCIRS webinar we will explore gaps, opportunities and advice relating to vaccinating people with disability, including important tips and present effective strategies for vaccinating people with disability in your clinic.

• About: vaccination service gaps for people with disability, ways to support vaccination of patients with complex needs, and new NCIRS resources to support healthcare providers in vaccination.
• When: Friday 22 September 2023 | 12:00pm – 1:15 pm
• Register