Immunisation Weekly Update:

Welcome to our weekly Immunisation Update. In this week’s update, read about:

1. New interim ATAGI advice for RSV-specific monoclonal antibodies for Indigenous infant and children  
2. Counterfeit rabies vaccine reported in India: Ensure travellers are fully protected 
3. Updated NSW Cold Chain Resources 
4. Australian Immunisation Handbook: New dengue chapter being developed 
5. Education 

New interim ATAGI advice for RSV-specific monoclonal antibodies for Indigenous infant and children  

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released new advice on the administration of RSV antibodies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and children. 

This interim advice follows emerging evidence on the use of RSV-specific antibodies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants in their first and second RSV season to prevent severe disease.  

Interim recommendations include:  

• First RSV season: Indigenous infants are recommended to receive RSV-specific monoclonal antibody, regardless of maternal vaccination. 

• Before the second RSV season: Indigenous infants aged 8 months to less than 24 months are recommended to receive RSV-specific monoclonal antibody, regardless of previous infant or maternal vaccination.  

To read more about these recommendations, see Interim ATAGI advice on the administration of RSV. More comprehensive advice for RSV immunisation is due to be released in 2027.  

Counterfeit rabies vaccine reported in India: Ensure travellers are fully protected 

The ATAGI has released guidance for travellers and healthcare providers, after reports of a batch of counterfeit rabies vaccine circulating in India.  

Travellers to India may be affected if they received the rabies vaccine in India from 1 November 2023 onwards and were administered: 

• one or more doses of Abhayrab® batch number KA24014 or; 

• the batch number is unknown or; 

• the vaccine brand is unknown 

In these instances, the vaccine is considered invalid, and the patient should be given an Australian registered rabies vaccine (Rabipur® or Verorab®). For more information on the current recommendations see the TAGI statement: Counterfeit Rabies vaccine (Abhayrab®) reported in India: Guidance for travellers and healthcare providers.  

Providers should also discuss rabies vaccination with patents intending on travelling to India, including possible pre-exposure rabies vaccine prior to travel and remaining vigilant for fake vaccines.   

For further information on rabies vaccines, view the Australian Immunisation Handbook chapter on rabies and other lyssaviruses.  

Updated NSW Cold Chain Resources 

The NSW Cold Chain Toolkit and Safe Vaccine Storage Checklist have been updated and are now available on the NSW Health Webpage.  

The revised resources align with the latest National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’ and support immunisation providers to maintain best practice vaccine storage and cold chain management.  

Providers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new resources to help ensure vaccines remain potent and effective, supporting optimal protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. 

Australian Immunisation Handbook: New dengue chapter being developed 

The ATAGI is currently developing a new chapter in the Australian Immunisation Handbook for dengue. Until the new chapter is published, the ATAGI advises providers refer to the recent statement on the Clinical use of the Dengue vaccine Qdenga for Australians for current recommendations and clinical advice.  

Education