Immunisation Weekly Update:

New 2024 COVID-19 recommendations

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have released the 2024 recommendations on the National COVID-19 Vaccine Program. 

Booster dose recommendations

• People aged 75 years and over: booster dose recommended every 6 months.

• People aged 65 to 74 years: booster dose recommended every 12 months. Can consider every 6 months.        
• People aged 18 to 64 years:
  • General population: consider booster dose every 12 months.
  • Severe immunocompromise: booster dose recommended every 12 months. Can consider every 6 months.   
• Adolescents aged 5 to 17 years:
  • General population: booster dose not recommended.
  • Severe immunocompromise: consider booster dose every 12 months.  

• Children aged under 5 years: booster dose not recommended.

Primary course recommendations

• People aged 18 years and over: recommend a single dose primary course.

• People aged under 18 years: primary course not recommended.
• Adolescents aged 5 to 18 years:
  • With risk factors: consider a single dose primary course.
  • With severe immunocompromise: recommend a two-dose primary course. Consider a third primary dose.

• Children aged 6 months to 5 years:
  • With risk factors: consider a two-dose primary course. Consider a third primary dose based on individual risk-benefit assessment.
  • With severe immunocompromise:  recommend a two-dose primary course. Consider a third primary dose.
    
    

The Australian Immunisation Handbook | COVID-19 Chapter will be updated to reflect 2024 recommendations in the coming weeks.

2024 seasonal influenza program

ATAGI information and advice

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has developed advice for immunisation providers regarding the Administration of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines in 2024.

Key messages:

• Influenza vaccination is recommended for all people aged 6 months and over.
• Free seasonal influenza vaccine is funded under the NIP for eligible groups at higher risk of complications from influenza.
• Influenza vaccine can be co-administered with any COVID-19 vaccine.
• Flucelvax Quad, a cell-based influenza vaccine is funded under the NIP in 2024 for at-risk population aged 5 to 64 years. There is no preference for use between Flucelvax Quad and standard dose egg-based influenza vaccines.

NSW Health information and advice

NSW Health has developed a range resources to help immunisation providers prepare for the 2024 influenza vaccination program:

• The 2024 Influenza Toolkit will assist providers with managing roll-out and implementation of their flu vaccination program in 2024.
• The 2024 influenza vaccine information sheet contains images of influenza vaccine brands funded in 2024 and information on free vaccine eligibility criteria.
• A recording of the Influenza Update 2024 webinar co-hosted by NSW Health and NCIRS is available for immunisation providers to watch.
• Influenza vaccination resources in other languages are available to order.

See NSW Health website for further information on 2024 seasonal influenza vaccination.

Influenza resources

The Department of Health and Aged Care resource collection provides information about getting vaccinated against influenza in 2024:

• Information for consumers
• Advice for health professionals
• Resources for health care settings
• Campaign materials (Influenza in pregnancy, children, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People,

Key resources:

• 2024 Influenza vaccination – Program advice for health professionals
• 2024 Influenza (flu) vaccination – Consumer fact sheet
• ATAGI Statement on the Administration of COVID-19 Vaccines in 2024

NSW Health resource order forms

• Influenza resource order form (available in other languages)
• Immunisation resource order form

Ordering NIP influenza vaccines

First order: Pre-allocation

Pre-allocations in 2024 will differ from previous years in line with available vaccine supply from the Commonwealth:

• Pre-allocation approval window: 4 March 2024 to 15 March 2024.
• Providers must log in and confirm pre-allocation.
• Providers who do not confirm their pre-allocated order in time can place an online order when online ordering opens.
• The 2024 Influenza Toolkit contains detailed information about the pre-allocation process.

Delivery and subsequent orders

• First deliveries are expected to commence in late March 2024.
• Subsequent orders can be placed once the provider has confirmed receipt of the pre-allocated influenza vaccine delivery.

Further information about the 2024 influenza vaccination program is available on the NSW Health website.

AIR mandatory reporting changes

Vaccination providers are reminded that from 1 March 2024, legislative changes requires additional details to be reported to the AIR. It is now mandatory for all vaccination providers to report to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR):

• the route of administration (for Japanese encephalitis vaccines) and
• the vaccine type for all vaccines prescribed by the AIR Rule (COVID-19, Influenza, National Immunisation Program (NIP) and JEV vaccines).

Under the ‘vaccine type’ field, vaccination providers can choose from one of the following 4 options:

• Antenatal: Vaccine is administered to an individual who is pregnant.
• NIP/Commonwealth: Vaccine is funded under the NIP or by the Commonwealth i.e. NIP and COVID-19 vaccines.
• Private: Vaccine is purchased privately i.e. travel and influenza vaccines (that are not funded under the NIP).
• State Program: Vaccine is funded under a state or territory program.

 

NOTE:  Where an individual is pregnant, providers should report the ‘Antenatal’ option in the first instance, regardless of whether the vaccine is funded privately or under a Commonwealth/state program.

2024 Immunisation Conference scholarship

CESPHN is offering a scholarship opportunity for nurses who are employed at a general practice in our region to attend a two-day face to face immunisation conference.

2024 Immunisation Professional Development Conference – Benchmarque Group conference details:

• Date: Wednesday 1 May – Thursday 2 May 2024
• Location: Pullman Sydney Airport (Gadigal Country)
• Valued at: $600 (for both days)

The conference aims to deliver a blend of hands-on skills-based workshops, and updates from experts in the field. Content will include COVID-19 and the changing focus in primary healthcare, managing RSV in primary healthcare settings, NIP and priority populations, vaccine hesitancy, culturally safe practice in immunisation, vaccine strategies and promotions, travel vaccines and complex catch-ups.

Visit our website for more information, or complete the application form to apply.

Measles alert for Domestic Airport & Sydney CBD

NSW Health is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of an adult confirmed case from Victoria who was infectious with measles on flights to and from Sydney Domestic Airport and while visiting Sydney’s CBD.

People who were onboard the affected flights and people who visited the affected locations may have been exposed to the virus and should monitor for symptoms.

Providers are encouraged to review the NSW General Practitioner: Measles information sheet which outlines measles presentation, suspected case management and measles vaccination advice. See also the measles pathway for full management details: South Eastern Sydney or Sydney HealthPathway.

ATAGI Statement on RSV vaccine

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) clinical statement provides advice on the use of the Arexvy vaccine for the prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Disease In Older Adults In Australia.

See full statement: ATAGI Statement on the Clinical Use Of Arexvy (RSV PRE-F3) Vaccine for RSV.

Revised NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards

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

• Inclusion of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevenar 13) to people aged 70 years and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over;
• Inclusion of recombinant RSV pre-fusion F protein vaccine (Arexvy) to people aged 60 years and over.

The changes to the NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards and NSW Pharmacy Vaccine Authority will enable pharmacist immunisers to administer NIP pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevenar 13) and Arexvy vaccine.

Arexvy, a recombinant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pre-fusion F protein vaccine was approved in January 2024 for use in people aged 60 years and over by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and will be available for purchase in the private market from March 2024. There is currently no advice on whether the vaccine will be included in the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Pharmacist immunisers must administer the RSV vaccine in accordance with the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice.

Further information about the NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Program is available on the NSW Health webpage.