Immunisation weekly update – 9 February 2022

Vaccine Clinic Finder Connect

 The national rollout for Vaccine Clinic Finder Connect (VFC Connect) will commence in coming weeks to all COVID-19 vaccines primary care sites. VCF Connect allows providers to self-manage clinic information on the Vaccine Clinic Finder, such as:

• self-manage clinic information published to VCF
• include additional information about clinics
• change opening hours including over holiday periods

All COVID-19 vaccination providers will be welcomed to join VCF Connect during February-early March, via a welcome registration email. Vaccination providers can prepare for VCF Connect by ensuring they have a PRODA account and use their on-boarding email with details on how to register to use the system.

For further information see VCF Connect Quick Reference Guide of email CV19.Products@Health.gov.au.

Booster doses for 16-17 years

 From 3 February 2022, Australians aged 16 and 17 years old are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine, following recommendations from ATAGI. The booster dose for 16-17 year olds will be one dose of the adult Pfizer vaccine three months after their primary course. Adolescents who were 15 years old when they had their second COVID-19 vaccine, and are now 16 years old, will also be eligible for a booster dose.

Notification of eligibility of COVID-19 booster vaccinations

 From 5 February 2022, Services Australia will send booster notifications to customers who completed their primary vaccination course 4 months ago and have not yet had their booster vaccine.

Customers will get this notification through myGov messages, if they have chosen to get myGov notifications digitally, or the post as a letter. The booster notification reads: ‘You are now able to receive your booster dose for COVID-19. If you have not yet booked this vaccination, you can book through the online Vaccine Clinic Finder or contact your vaccination provider.’

Novavax COVID-19 vaccines can now be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register

 The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has announced that Novavax (NUVAXOVID) is now approved for use in Australia and can have it recorded on AIR.

The Services Australia website lists the COVID-19 vaccines approved or recognised by the TGA that can be recorded on AIR as well as the AIR vaccine code formats.

Commonwealth Booking Platform and Clinician Vaccination Integrated Platform

 The Department of Health is retiring the Commonwealth Booking Platform (CBP) and the Clinician Vaccination Integrated Platform (CVIP).

All vaccine providers currently using the CBP will need to transition to an alternative booking process or commercially available booking platform by mid-2022.

All vaccine providers currently using the CVIP will need to transition to a commercially available, AIR compliant, vaccination reporting software by mid-2022.

Webinar: A focus on Meningococcal B Disease ‘in-practice’

 This interactive webinar will provide an immunisation update on Invasive Meningococcal Disease, with a focus on Meningococcal B disease for nurses and nurse immunisers. Hear from a panel of immunisation nurse experts who will share case studies from different clinical environments and best practices in navigating the Meningococcal B vaccination discussion with parents, as well as an opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with the speakers.

Details: Thursday 17th February 2022 | 7.00pm – 8.30pm (AEDT) | Register here

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.

Details: Thursday 10 February 2022, 11:30am (AEDT) | Click link to join

Catch up on previous webinars.

COSSI annual report 2021 now available

 This report highlights the outputs of and engagements by Collaboration on Social Science and Immunisation (COSSI) members during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in areas of clinical and public health risk communication; understanding the role and impact of mandatory vaccination; and strategies to diagnose barriers to under-vaccination to inform vaccine uptake across the lifespan. Read the report here.

%MCEPASTEBIN%