Immunisation weekly update – 13 October 2021

Update on school vaccination during COVID-19

NSW Health is offering school vaccination again as school-based learning returns. Additional measures are in place based on expert clinical advice to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission in school clinics. More information has been developed for parents/guardians and schools. 

Batch numbers for COVID-19 vaccines 

It is mandatory to record a batch number when reporting COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations to the AIR. Services Australia has identified a number of AIR records where the COVID-19 vaccine batch number has been entered incorrectly or left blank. 

Astra Zeneca and Pfizer vaccines have a “lot number” instead of a batch number. Enter the lot number when there is no batch number.

Under the Australian Immunisation Register Act 2015 (AIR Act) it is mandatory for all vaccination providers to report to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) any COVID-19 vaccinations administrated on or after 20 February 2021, including:

• personal information: Medicare number (if applicable), name, contact details, date of birth, gender
• vaccine information: brand name, dose number and batch number, date of administration, for COVID19 vaccines – vial serial number (if known)
• provider information: provider number, name and contact details

Providers and sites may be contacted by Services Australia to update these details. 

Third COVID-19 vaccine for severely immunocompromised individuals

On 8 October 2021, ATAGI announced recommendations for a third primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine in severely immunocompromised individuals, to be given 2-6 months after their second dose. An mRNA vaccine (Comirnaty or Spikevax) is preferred for the third dose, but Vaxzevria is also acceptable. These third doses are provided as part of the primary course, they are not boosters. 

Please proactively reach out to any of your patients with one of the identified conditions who are fully vaccinated to book them in for their third dose, 2 to 6 months after their second dose. See Eligible conditions for a third primary dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

ATAGI will provide further advice on booster doses for healthcare workers, older adults and the general population separately.

Vaccination after testing positive for COVID-19

People who have had COVID-19 can be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination can be deferred for up to 6 months as past infection reduces the chance of reinfection for at least this amount of time.

There is no requirement to delay vaccination in people with past SARS-CoV-2 infection who have recovered from their acute illness.

People might choose to be vaccinated if they are significantly immunocompromised and may be at greater risk of getting COVID-19 again; have a job that requires them to be vaccinated; or have a job that puts them at greater risk of being exposed to COVID-19. People should not be vaccinated until they have recovered from the acute illness. 

COVID-19 live stream update for GPs

Join the latest COVID-19 vaccine live stream update for GPs. The panel will provide latest key updates and answer participants’ questions live about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Get involved by submitting questions and comments! 

Details: Thursday 14 October, 11:30am (AEDT) | Click link to join

Catch up on previous webinars 

Translated Resources 

• Department of Health – COVID-19 vaccination resources in other languages
• NSW Health – COVID-19 resource language list

New and updated resources

• COVID-19 vaccination – Youth community kit (new 6 Oct): Youth community groups can use this resource kit to help young people understand the importance of getting vaccinated.
• Coronavirus (COVID–19) – Information for residential respite providers (updated 7 Oct): This fact sheet provides information for providers of residential respite to manage situations where people who need respite care are affected by isolation, quarantine requirements, health advice or other factors.
• COVID-19 vaccination – Disability provider alert 5 October 2021 (new 7 Oct): This alert contains updates for disability service providers about the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
• ATAGI recommendations on the use of a third primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely immunocompromised (new 8 Oct): Recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on the use of a third primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely immunocompromised.
• Work permissions and restrictions framework for workers in health care settings (new 8 Oct): This framework supports safe decision making when determining whether to place work permissions/restrictions, independent of quarantine, on a worker after a COVID-19 exposure in a health care setting in the context of an outbreak and community transmission of COVID-19.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice on managing the health risks from COVID-19 on international flights (updated 12 Oct): An information sheet for the airline industry (including flight crew) about coronavirus (COVID-19).
• COVID-19 vaccination – Eligibility declaration form for a third primary dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (updated 12 Oct): COVID-19 vaccine rollout eligibility declaration form for patients eligible for a third dose of a COVID-19
• ATAGI – COVID-19 vaccination – Shared decision making guide for people with immunocompromise (updated 12 Oct):This decision guide is to help a person who is immunocompromised make an informed decision about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
• ATAGI – Provider guide to COVID-19 vaccination of people with immunocompromise (updated 12 Oct): This guide aims to support health professionals who are counselling patients with immunocompromise regarding COVID-19 vaccination.
• COVID-19 vaccination – Consent form for COVID-19 vaccination (updated 12 Oct): A patient consent form for COVID-19 vaccination.

Immunisation Weekly Update

Catch up on previous Immunisation Weekly Updates on our Immunisation New & Alerts webpage.

er 60

%MCEPASTEBIN%