Immunisation weekly update – 16 November 2022

Is a 5^th dose recommended?

ATAGI advises – no change to booster dose advice.

Recommendations:

• Severely immunocompromised adults 16+ should receive 5 doses (3 primary + 2 booster doses)
• General population adults 50+ are recommended to receive 4 doses (2 primary + 2 booster doses)
• General population includes the elderly and aged care facility residents  
• People aged 30 to 49 years old can receive 4 doses (2 primary + 2 booster doses) if they choose

ATAGI has reviewed its booster dose advice for COVID-19 vaccines in the context of increasing case numbers in Australia and the emergence of the XBB and BQ.1 Omicron subvariants.

• ATAGI has made no new recommendations at this time, including no changes to the number of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses recommended.
• ATAGI emphasises the importance of remaining up to date with recommended doses of COVID- 19 vaccines, especially for people aged 65 years and older and those at higher risk of severe COVID-19.

Pfizer Bivalent (Grey) 18+ booster – Commences 12 December 2022

ATAGI recommends the Pfizer (Comirnaty) Bivalent Original/Omicron BA.1 vaccine for use as a booster dose in people aged 18 years and older. The Pfizer Bivalent (Grey) will commence in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program for boosters in people aged 18 years or older from 12 December 2022.

ATAGI recommendations:

• Eligibility: Pfizer bivalent vaccine can be used for any booster dose in people aged 18 years or older, according to the current ATAGI booster dose recommendations.
• Timing & intervals: Booster doses should be given at least 3 months after previous COVID-19 infection or last COVID-19 vaccine dose
• Co-administration: Pfizer bivalent vaccine can be co-administered with other non-COVID vaccines, as per current ATAGI clinical guidance.

Important – Pfizer bivalent vaccine is:

• NOT recommended for primary course of vaccination (first 2 doses in general population, or first 3 doses in severely immunocompromised people).

NOT recommended for anyoneunder 18 years

Onboarding for Pfizer Bivalent 18+ (Grey)

1. Onboarding: all participating sites will be automatically onboarded for Pfizer Bivalent (grey) – there will be no EOI process
2. Tranches: sites will be automatically allocated into one of two tranches
3. Ordering: tranche 1 can commence ordering on Saturday 19 November 2022
4. Next steps: onboarding letters will be issued to all participating sites shortly

Pfizer (Maroon) 6 months to 4 years– Commences 16 January 2023

ATAGI recommends the Pfizer (Maroon) 6 months to 4 years COVID-19 vaccine as a primary course of vaccination for children in certain at-risk population groups. The recommendation is for 3 primary doses, with 8 week interval between each dose. The Pfizer (Maroon) will commence in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program for children aged 6 months to 4 years from 16 January 2023.

There is no preference for either the Moderna 6 months to under 5 years or Pfizer 6 months to 4 years; however, completion of a primary schedule with the same brand of vaccine is recommended.

ATAGI does not recommend vaccination for children aged 6 months to under 5 years who are not in the risk categories for severe COVID-19.

Onboarding for Pfizer (Maroon) 6 months to 4 years

1. Onboarding: all participating Pfizer sites will be automatically onboarded for Pfizer (Maroon) – there will be no EOI process
2. Tranches: sites will be automatically allocated into one of two tranches
3. Ordering: tranche 1 can commence ordering on Saturday 3 December 2022
4. Next steps: onboarding letters will be issued to Pfizer participating sites shortly

CVAS updates

• CVAS Delivery Acceptance – CVAS will require sites to submit their delivery acceptance reports before new orders can be placed.
• Vaccine Consumables – ensure that any consumables ordered via CVAS are only used for the COVID-19 Vaccination Program.
• Vaccine Disposal – dispose of COVID-19 Vaccination Program waste in the provided sharps bins.

If you have any questions, please contact the Vaccine Operations Centre.

New and updated resources

COVID-19 resources – NEW:

• 10 Nov: Personal story – Bo de la Cruz talks on-time vaccinations
• 7 Nov: COVID-19 vaccination – Easy Vaccine Access EVA call back service brochure  – available in other languages

COVID-19 resources – UPDATED:

• 14 Nov: ATAGI Expanded Guidance on temporary medical exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Cardiac illness precautions now apply to all COVID-19 vaccines.
• 11 Nov: COVID-19 vaccination – The Moderna vaccine – Easy Read

Immunisation resources – UPDATED:

• 10 Nov: Protect your mob – poster  – Order ID: IT0287
• 10 Nov: Protect your mob – Immunisation saves lives brochure  – Order ID: IT0286
• 10 Nov: Brochure (Simplified Chinese) – Immunisation prevents serious disease
• 10 Nov: It’s important to fully vaccinate your child infographic
• 10 Nov: Immunisation uses the body’s natural defences infographic
  • Vaccines stimulate your body’s natural defence systems, making your immune system stronger (not weaker)
  • Your immune system is then better able to recognise serious diseases and defeat them.
  • Your child needs to receive every vaccine on time, every time, for the best protection.

Expansion of the NSW pharmacist vaccination program

From 14 November 2022, NSW pharmacists can administer a wider range of public health and travel vaccinations including Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, Poliomyelitis, Typhoid and Zoster (Shingrix only, not Zostavax).

The NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards and NSW Pharmacist Vaccine Authority have been amended to reflect this. Further information on the NSW pharmacist vaccination program is available on the NSW Health website

Immunisation Education

16 Nov: Vaccination in pregnancy

• About: highlight the importance of vaccination in pregnancy and infancy and explore current barriers to delivering best practice care
• When: Weds 16 Nov | 6:00pm to 9:00pm
• Register: Click link to register

24 Nov: COVID-19 response update

• About: primary care update on the COVID-19 response and the vaccine rollout
• When: Thurs 24 Nov | 2:00pm to 2.30pm
• Register: Click link to join