Immunisation Weekly Update:

Webinar: Rabies and travel vaccines

Register for the upcoming NCIRS webinar on rabies and travel vaccines on Thursday, 8 August 2024 from 12.00 to 1.30pm.

Leading physicians and researchers will present on topics including:

• recent changes to rabies vaccination recommendation in Australia
• rabies outbreaks and prevention in our region
• global trends in vaccine-preventable vector-borne diseases and what they mean for travellers
• practical tips for successful travel vaccination consults.

ATAGI statement on Mpox vaccine

On 22 July 2024, ATAGI released an interim statement regarding the use of vaccines for prevention of mpox in 2024.

After an increase in mpox cases in 2024, ATAGI have reviewed the evidence on the need for booster doses of the mpox vaccine for protection against mpox. Currently, ATAGI does not recommend booster doses of the mpox vaccine for people fully vaccinated with 2 doses, including those who are severely immunocompromised. 

ATAGI will monitor the evolving mpox epidemiology in Australia.

Vaccine recommendations will continue to be reviewed and updated if required.

Video animation resources

A new animation Pregnancy and newborns: How vaccines work is available to help parents understand how vaccines help while pregnant to protect the baby when they are born. It explains how vaccines help the immune system to make antibodies to help fight serious diseases.

This Superkids animation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families explains the importance of childhood immunisation to keep our kids and the community safe from serious diseases. This is part of the Childhood Immunisation resource collection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Start the Shingrix® conversation

The Department has developed a range of resources to help providers start the conversation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients about the free shingles vaccination.

A two-dose course of Shingrix® is available for free on the NIP for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over. Recommendations and advice from a healthcare provider plays a very important role in a patient’s decision about vaccination.

• To help promote the program in your practice or clinic, listen to the Shingles and Shingrix podcast for health professionals covering all aspects of the shingles vaccine, and start the conversation using SKAI conversation guide on ‘Talking about vaccination with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families’.

Shingrix® safety data

• Updated safety data published by AusVaxSafety have shown more than half of Shingrix® vaccine recipients (52.9%) experienced no adverse events in the three days following vaccination. In those who did experience an adverse event, local reaction – mainly pain, swelling and redness at the injection site – was the most common.
• AusVaxSafety has now been collecting Shingrix® safety data for more than 6 months. During this period, Shingrix® safety data has remained stable, with minimal changes to the safety profile observed. AusVaxSafety will continue to monitor Shingrix® and update safety data monthly for the remainder of 2024.

Flu vaccine coverage in NSW

The latest Respiratory Surveillance Report has shown influenza (flu) case notifications have continued to increase rapidly and steeply across Australia since the start of this year’s flu season.

These figures underline the need to boost influenza vaccination coverage rates in Australia – particularly in children aged 6 months to under 5 years, adults aged 65 years and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe influenza.

Snapshot of the latest NSW flu vaccine coverage from AIR data as at 21 July 2024: NCIRS Influenza vaccination coverage data.

Immunisation providers are reminded to encourage vaccination at every opportunity, especially for those medically at risk and eligible for free vaccination under the NIP.