Immunisation Weekly Update:

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

• GP alert: Abrysvo® vaccine administration errors
• Annual immunisation update 2025 – recording now available
• Measles alert – two confirmed cases
• Measles vaccine QI activity
• Beyfortus™ special order form

GP alert – Abrysvo® vaccine administration errors

NSW Health has received reports of Abrysvo® (RSV vaccine) incorrectly administered to children occurring in general practice. A NSW Health clinician alert was sent out to all GPs in NSW.

Key message:

Abrysvo® is licenced for use in pregnant women and adults aged 60 years and over. It is is NOT registered for use in children.

Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) is registered for use in infants up to 24 months of age.

Arexvy® is only registered for use in adults aged 60 years and over.

Providers must clearly label RSV vaccines in fridge to prevent administration errors:

To help prevent errors, refer to the new RSV immunisation product reference guide developed to assist providers, available on the NSW RSV Prevention Program – Information for health professionals webpage under the resources section.

Annual immunisation update 2025 – recording now available

Last week’s CESPHN annual immunisation update was attended by over 100 participants and provided crucial updates on several important topics. The webinar recording is now available for those who were unable to attend.

Key topics covered:

– New RSV immunisation products and recommendations

– Influenza and COVID-19 vaccine 2025 guidelines and recommendations

– Changes to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)

– Vaccines that are recommended but not funded

– Adolescent vaccination and funded catch-up programs

All immunisation providers must stay up-to-date with the latest 2025 immunisation information.

Measles alert – two confirmed cases

In the last week, NSW Health has been notified of two confirmed cases of measles. Both cases recently returned from South-East Asia (on different flights – Jetstar JQ62 and Vietnam Airlines VN773). There is an ongoing large outbreak of measles in several countries including Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

People who were on board the affected flights or attended any of the affected locations should watch for the development of symptoms. Several health facilities in CESPHN were affected, including Matraville Medical Complex, HealthSave Pharmacy Matraville, and Princes of Wales Hospital Emergency Department.

GPs should refer to Clinician alert: Measles update for GPs and clinicians for information on how to manage suspected cases.

Measles vaccine QI activity

Measles vaccine (MMR) is available free to people who have not had 2 doses of MMR vaccine, born during or since 1966.

Conduct a measles quality improvement activity to recall patients who are not up to date with their measles vaccination. Book a QI session with a PHN support staff to get started, or follow the MMR QI guidelines.

Key message for immunisation providers:

– verify that all patients born after 1965 have received 2 doses of measles vaccine

– if vaccination history is unclear, additional MMR doses are safe

– MMR vaccination is particularly important prior to overseas travel

MMR vaccine is available from GPs for all ages and pharmacies for people aged 5 years and over.

FAQ: Beyfortus™ special order form

Why must a nirsevimab special order form be completed via the NSW Vaccine Centre for each individual?

This is because it is intended to be administered predominantly is a hospital setting prior to discharge to eligible newborns, under the NSW RSV Prevention Program.

Where an eligible infant has missed their hospital birth dose, general practices can place a Beyfortus™ special order for that individual. There is currently no option to bulk order Beyfortus™.

Special orders can also be placed for at-risk children up to 24 months of age entering their 2^nd RSV season, and for vulnerable children born from 1 October 2024 to 16 March 2025 who meet the eligibility criteria for the NSW RSV Vulnerable Babies Program.

Order: NSW Childhood Immunisation Schedule

The NSW Childhood Immunisation Schedule poster was updated in February to include the 2025 influenza vaccines. Order an A3 or A4 printed copy for your clinic (limit one A3 poster per practice).

New nurse scholarship opportunities

CESPHN’s nurse education scholarships for 2025 has now expanded.

There now are five face-to-face educational workshop opportunities that nurses can apply for including:

2025 Immunisation Professional Development Conference 2-day workshop
30 April 2025, 8:30am to 7:00pm
1 May 2025, 8:30am to 4:00pm
Novotel Sydney Airport, Wolli Creek NSW

Apply for scholarship here

Education