Immunisation weekly update – 29 March 2023

NSW Health – Influenza resources

NSW Health will not be distributing posters and brochures to practices. Each first influenza delivery will include a flyer: 2023 influenza vaccine presentation and free vaccine eligibility and 2023 basket stickers. Site will need to order printed copies of influenza-related resources from the Better Health Centre:

• Fill out the Influenza Publications Order Form, ensuring you include the publication code and quantity required.
• Completed Order Form and submit to the Better Health Centre via email or fax:
  • Email: nslhd-bhc@health.nsw.gov.au
  • Fax: (02) 9887-5452
    
    

NIP resource collection – Getting vaccinated against influenza

This collection of resources provides information about getting vaccinated against influenza in 2023, including information on:

• why and when you should get vaccinated against influenza
• who is eligible for a free influenza vaccine under the National Immunisation Program
• influenza vaccine safety.

Resources include:

• Advice for vaccination providers
• Information for consumers
• Influenza in pregnancy

Excess COVID-19 vaccines?

Practices with an oversupply of COVID-19 vaccine stock on hand, including Pfizer Bivalent (BA.4-5), are encouraged to contact CESPHN via email at immunisation@cesphn.com.au to help facilitate transfer to practices to who require additional supply. Include details on vaccine brand, excess quantity and defrost expiry date.

Primary care COVID-19 vaccination sites may choose to transfer vaccines from one participating vaccination site to another for a range of reasons, including to support unmet demand at another site or to manage an oversupply of stock.

Supporting conversations about influenza vaccination with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

In Australia, seasonal influenza is the second most common vaccine-preventable disease contributing to hospitalisation, after COVID-19. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to experience severe influenza disease that could be prevented with annual vaccination.

To support immunisation providers, NCIRS has developed new resources to help providers have culturally appropriate and supportive vaccination conversations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Updated COVID-19 resources

The following resources have been updated and information supersedes previous versions:

COVID-19 vaccination – Consent form

Last updated 20 March 2023

COVID-19 Vaccine Cold Chain Breach (CCB) Reporting Form

Last updated 28 March 2023

ATAGI Clinical Guidance on COVID‐19 Vaccine Administration Errors

Updates on 20 March 2023 include changes to advice on administration errors related to Moderna bivalent BA.4/5 and removal of AstraZeneca.

COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy

Updates on 20 March 2023 include changed to information on which vaccines are available.

Immunisation Education  

CESPHN Annual Immunisation Update – NEXT WEEK

• About: Please join us for our annual Immunisation update, with the latest clinical information regarding the 2023 Influenza season, COVID-19 update, vaccine acceptance, emerging diseases and more.
• Speakers:  A/Prof Nicholas Wood, A/Prof Jane Frawley, and Dr Vicky Sheppeard.
• When: Tuesday | 4 April 2023 | 7:00 – 8:30 pm (AEDT)
• Register: Free – Click link to register.

Benchmarque webinar: Seasonal Respiratory & Other Challenges: Influenza, RSV & Meningococcal B. 

• About: A webinar focused on the practical aspects of immunisation for our upcoming winter season. Briefly review the essentials of influenza vaccination. What is RSV, what does the clinical picture look like in the infant infected with RSV and are there treatments available to protect against infection? When is the long anticipated RSV vaccine coming?
  When: Monday | 17 April 2023 | 7:00pm – 9:00 pm
• Register: Free – Click link to register.

Webinar recording: COVID-19 and influenza vaccination update 2023

• Watch the recording of NCRIS’s annual influenza webinar to learn more about the updated recommendations for COVID-19 and influenza vaccination in 2023.