Immunisation weekly update – 28 September 2022

Disease notification – Which conditions are GPs required to report?

The Public Health Act 2010 requires that certain medical conditions be notified to the relevant NSW public health unit -all notifications are kept strictly confidential. All GPs are required to report notifiable conditions to their local PHU on the basis of reasonable clinical suspicion. Case notification should be initiated within 24 hours of diagnosis. Some notifiable conditions include: measles, monkeypox, and pertussis (whooping cough).

How to notify:

• Download Doctor/Hospital notification form
• Send completed form to public health unit (PHU)
• GPs must also notify the PHU by phone on 1300 066 055 if the notifiable disease is followed by a phone icon ☎ on the notification form

See National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System NNDSS fortnightly reports for 22 August to 4 September 2022.

ANIs and RACFs now able to apply for an AIR provider number

Authorised Nurses Immunisers (ANIs) and Residential Care Facilities (RCFs) can now apply for an AIR Provider Number to access the online Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). To apply for an AIR provider number complete the IM004 form and email to MOH-VaccReports@health.nsw.gov.au

ANIs require an ABN to register for their own AIR provider number. ANIs without an ABN can be delegated AIR access from the organisation that employs them or a health professional.

Registered nurses interested in becoming a qualified ANI are encouraged to apply for CESPHN’s Nurse Scholarship to complete the training course and attain this qualification. For more information about the scholarship and to apply, see CESPHN Immunisation website. Applications close 30 September 2022. For further information, see the latest Australian Immunisation Register Update – 19 September 2022.

Monkeypox vaccine – New clinics, referral process and administration advice

Subcutaneous vs Intradermal administration

JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine was initially administered by subcutaneous injection, however updated clinical guidance from the ATAGI now allows intradermal administration of JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine in individuals who are not severely immunocompromised and are receiving the vaccine before exposure to monkeypox virus (pre-exposure prophylaxis). AusVaxSafety is monitoring the different vaccine delivery methods and whether there is any impact on side effects.

MPX vaccination clinic locations:

• Some designated hubs:

• The Mallett St MPXV vaccine clinic – NEW
• The Crown St MPXV vaccine clinic

• Some specialist general practices:

• Holdsworth House Medical Practice
• East Sydney Doctors
• Taylor Square Private Clinic

• And any publicly funded sexual health service – see NSW Sexual Health Clinics

Referral process for MPX vaccine:

• Referral to Mallett St clinic: GPs can provide referrals to eligible patients – the clinic will take walk-in referrals from GPs or appointments can scheduled by contacting clinic on 0460 013 803 between 9am and 4pm
• Referral to Crown St clinic: GPs can directly refer eligible patients for MPX vaccination by calling Sexual Health Info Link (SHIL) on 1800 451 624
• Expression of interest: patients can self-register their interest for the MPX vaccine by completing the NSW Health form

Latest MPX webinar:

Watch a recording of CESPHN’s Monkeypox webinar where PHU director Dr Vicky Sheppeard and Infectious Diseases physician Dr Kasha Singh speak about the MPX outbreak situation in CESPHN, vaccination rollout, identification, treatment, and case management.

GPs, practice nurses and pharmacists needed

Researchers at NCIRS are conducting a study to investigate the use of vaccine safety surveillance systems in order to improve and ensure they are fit-for-purpose for the needs of immunisation providers and patients.

GPs, practice nurses and pharmacists are invited to participate in a short telephone or videoconference interview to share your experiences – good, bad or non-existent – with vaccine safety surveillance systems in your daily practice. Participants will be given a voucher for their time and interviews will take place throughout October and November. Registrations close 30 October 2022.

For further information or if you have any questions email at Nicola.Carter@health.nsw.gov.au

Community attitudes on influenza vaccination

The Community Attitude Research on Influenza Vaccination 2021 research report outlines community attitudes and behaviours towards influenza vaccination amongst Australians.

The research was required to understand current attitudes, barriers, motivators and information needs relating to uptake of Influenza vaccines. The findings from the research will be used to inform strategic approaches to address any structural or attitudinal barriers to the uptake of influenza vaccines amongst the general population and key target audiences in future seasons.

Myocarditis and Pericarditis – updated guidance

Guidance on Myocarditis and Pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccines was updated on 23 September 2022

What has been updated:

• Guidance name changed to include all COVID19 vaccine(s), not just mRNA
• Updated rates of myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination by age, gender, and dose
• Updated evidence on the long-term outcomes of people with myocarditis or pericarditis following vaccination
• Updated recommendations for revaccination in people with a history of myocarditis or pericarditis following vaccination

Third primary dose in severely immunocompromised – updated recommendations

On 23 September 2022, ATAGI recommendations on the use of a third primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely immunocompromised were updated.

What has changed:

• ATAGI recommends all individuals aged 6 months and over with certain conditions or on therapies leading to severe immunocompromise to receive a 3rd primary dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Novavax can also be used as 3rd primary dose for Immunocompromised populations, however an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) is preferred

Webinars: Upcoming and recorded 

COVID-19 response update

• About: primary care update on the COVID-19 response and the vaccine rollout – key updates and Q&A
• When: Thursday | 29 September 2022 | 12:00pm **note new time**
• Register here

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Australia

• About: information about RSV in children and adults including cause, symptoms, treatments and vaccines.
• When: Wednesday | 12 October 2022 | 06:00 PM
• Register here

Immunisation news

Catch up on previous Immunisation Weekly Updates.

Keep up to date with the latest information on Monkeypox.