Immunisation Weekly Update:

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

• Pertussis (whooping cough) is at highest rate in 15 years
• Expansion of Shingrix eligibility
• Scholarships available: ANI course 
• New ‘Recommended sites for childhood vaccinations’ poster 
• Pneumococcal updates
• Education available.

Pertussis (whooping cough) is at highest rate in 15 years

NSW Health released an alert for GPs and clinicians regarding continued increase in pertussis in NSW.

• Pertussis is continuing to increase in NSW particularly amongst school-aged children.
• Ensure infants are vaccinated on time, and all pregnant women are vaccinated between 20 and 32 weeks. Recommend vaccination to parents and carers of babies, grandparents and other people in close contact with babies and young children.
• PCR test suspected cases and notify your public health unit about high risk contacts for follow up.

Ensure prevention by offering free vaccination under the NIP on time to

• infants (6 weeks, 4 months, 6 months, 18 months, 4 years)
• pregnant women (20-32 weeks gestation in every pregnancy)
• adolescents who may have missed Year 7 school vaccination (booster required between 11-13 years)

A booster (private purchase) is also recommended for parents and carers of babies, grandparents and other people in close contact with babies and young children, and adults aged 50 years and 65 years.

The Pertussis (whooping cough) chapter of the Australian Immunisation Handbook was updated to reflect the advice that pertussis-containing vaccines can be co-administered to pregnant women with the RSV vaccine Abrysvo.

Expansion of Shingrix eligibility

A reminder that from 1 September 2024, free shingles vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) will be expanded to include people at moderate to high risk of severe infection and complications from shingles. See updated advice here. The NCIRS  Zoster (shingles) FAQs will be updated shortly.

The herpes zoster vaccine, Shingrix® is available free to eligible individuals:

• aged 65 years and over
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• adults aged 18 years and over who are at increased risk of herpes zoster due to an underlying condition and/or immunomodulatory/ immunosuppressive treatments. Details regarding those who are at increased risk of herpes zoster is available in the  Shingles vaccination – Program advice for health professionals (September 2024).

Scholarships available: ANI course

CESPHN is inviting registered nurses working in general practice or residential aged care homes, who do not hold a qualification as an Authorised Nurse Immuniser (ANI), to apply for the scholarship by completing the application form. For further information about the course and eligibility criteria, please see Immunisation | Nurses webpage.

New ‘Recommended sites for childhood vaccinations’ poster

A new NCIRS poster has been developed to support safe and effective administration of childhood vaccines.  

The poster is available for download on the NCIRS website. If you would like a colour printed A3 copy mailed to your practice, please email immunisation@cesphn.com.au with your practice name and how many copies you need.

Pneumococcal updates

National Immunisation Program

The optimal pneumococcal vaccination program for Australia is currently under review. At present Prevenar 13 (13vPCV) and Pneumovax 23 (23vPPV) are the pneumococcal vaccines funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for eligible individuals.

Australian Immunisation Handbook – Chapter and Infographic

The pneumococcal infographic summarises vaccination recommendations for people who have previously received a pneumococcal vaccine. The information is presented in a flowchart format that enhances clarity, particularly in relation to NIP funding of pneumococcal vaccination for individuals with risk conditions.

Updates to the pneumococcal chapter of the Handbook include interim recommendations for use of extended valency vaccines, Vaxneuvance [15vPCV] and Prevenar 20 [20vPCV], which are not currently NIP-funded.

NCIRS – Pneumococcal FAQs

NCIRS’ recently revised the pneumococcal vaccines FAQs resource to reflect the recent Handbook updates and includes information to reflect the availability of Prevenar 20 (20vPCV).

Education