Immunisation weekly update – 5 April 2023

Grant opportunity: Nurse Winter Vaccination Program

CESPHN is offering $2,000 funding to general practices who employ a practice nurse to develop and implement activities to drive the uptake of vaccination.

See website for more information.

To apply, complete the application form. Applications close Tuesday 11 April 2023 12.00 pm (AEST).

NSW Immunisation Schedule Updated March 2023

The NSW Immunisation Schedule and the NSW Childhood Immunisation Poster have been updated to make recommendations for influenza vaccination of children six months to less than five years of age more prominent. These are now available on the NSW Health Immunisation Program webpage.

Both of these resources are available to order from NSW Health’s Better Health Centre (BHC). To order hard copies to be delivered to your practice, please complete and submit the Immunisation Resource Order Form.

Service Finder Replaces Vaccine Clinic Finder

The Vaccine Clinic Finder (VCF) website has been retired, as of this week. All COVID-19 vaccination services listed on the VCF have been automatically transitioned to the Service Finder, which has been relaunched on a new and improved platform.

Last Orders of Moderna Six months to Five Years (Blue/Purple) Vaccine

Orders of the Moderna six months to five years (Blue/Purple) vaccine closed on Friday 31 March 2023. This vaccine should not be administered to new patients and should only be used to complete an already commenced primary course of COVID-19 vaccination for eligible patients.

Children aged six months to four years who meet the eligibility requirements are still able to receive the Pfizer six months to four years (Maroon) vaccine, noting that a primary course of the Pfizer six months to four years (Maroon) vaccine consists of three doses, given eight weeks apart, regardless of immunocompromise status.

Additional Orders of Moderna BA.4-5 Pre-filled Syringe

The Moderna Bivalent (BA.4-5) 12 years+ is a single dose pre-filled syringe vaccine, and is only approved for use as a booster dose in people 12 years and over. Additional orders of can now be requested through CVAS, in multiples of 10 doses.

The Vaccine Comparison Poster to include the Moderna BA.4-5 PFS. The ATAGI recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses poster has also been updated to reflect the 2023 booster advice and current primary course vaccination advice.

Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine Eligibility

Eligibility for free Meningococcal ACWY vaccine under the NIP has changed to 15-19 years (from 14-19 years) and is reflected in the updated table for free catch-up vaccines on the Australian Government’s catch-up vaccine webpage.

Immunisation providers can still administer Meningococcal ACWY vaccine to people aged 14 years but only with private market vaccine.

Immunisation Education

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 for free now