Updates on 22/06/2015
Diphtheria
4.2.4 Vaccines, 4.2.7 Recommendations and 4.2.8 Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Recommendations on the use of pertussis-containing vaccines updated (refer to 4.12 Pertussis).
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Information on the use of the Hib-MenCCV combination vaccine added.
Hepatitis A
4.4.7 Recommendations
Lifestyle risk factors for hepatitis A clarified.
Hepatitis B
4.5.4 Vaccines
Information on accelerated hepatitis B schedules added.
4.5.7 Recommendations
Clinical course of action for sexual contacts of persons with hepatitis B clarified.
4.5.4 Vaccines and 4.5.7 Recommendations
Acceptable minimum intervals and age requirements for primary hepatitis B vaccine doses and the appropriate action if these are not met has been clarified (refer also to 2.1 Pre-vaccination).
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
4.6.4 Vaccines
Information on next-generation HPV vaccines and schedules under development added.
Influenza (flu)
Terminology referring to the bioCSL brand of trivalent influenza vaccine has been changed throughout the influenza chapter and other chapters if required.
4.7.4 Vaccines and 4.7.11 Adverse events
Information on inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine formulations added (including in vaccine information box).
4.7.4 Vaccines and 4.7.6 Dosage and administration
Information on Intanza intradermal vaccine formulations removed.
4.7.6 Dosage and administration
Upper age limit for when children require 2 doses of inactivated influenza vaccine if receiving for the first time clarified.
4.7.7 Recommendations
Number of doses of annual influenza vaccine required in persons with immunocompromising conditions clarified (refer also to 3.3 Groups with special vaccination requirements).
Information on influenza vaccine recommendations for preterm infants added.
Recommendations on the use of influenza vaccines updated, including:
- Persons at increased risk of complications from influenza infection for whom vaccination is recommended expanded to include individuals with a BMI ≥40 and individuals with chronic liver disease.
- Annual influenza vaccine is now recommended for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Japanese encephalitis
4.8.3 Epidemiology and 4.8.7 Recommendations
Information on the risk of Japanese encephalitis to travellers added (refer also to 3.2 Vaccination for international travel).
4.8.4 Vaccines
Information on accelerated schedule for JEspect added.
4.8.6 Dosage and administration
Information on the interchangeability of Japanese encephalitis vaccines added.
Recommendations on the use of Japanese encephalitis vaccines updated, including:
- JEspect can now be given at the same time as quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine and rabies vaccine, and Imojev can be given at the same time as MMR vaccine.
4.8.4 Vaccines and 4.8.6 Dosage and administration
Advice on the age of use for Japanese encephalitis vaccines updated, including a new table, Table 4.8.1: Recommended doses of JE vaccines (refer also to 3.2 Vaccination for international travel).
4.8.4 Vaccines, 4.8.6 Dosage and administration and 4.8.7 Recommendations
Recommendations on the use of Japanese encephalitis vaccines updated, including:
- A booster dose of Imojev is now recommended in children aged ≥9 months to <18 years and a booster dose of JEspect is recommended in adults aged ≥18 years.
4.8.4 Vaccines, 4.8.6 Dosage and administration and 4.8.13 Variations from product information
Recommendations on the use of Japanese encephalitis vaccines updated, including:
- JEspect can now be given to children aged ≥2 months to <18 years in circumstances where an alternative is not available or contraindicated.
4.8.10 Precautions
Information on vaccination after immunoglobulin or blood product administration added.
Measles
4.9.10 Precautions and 4.9.11 Adverse events
Advice on the prophylactic use of paracetamol updated (refer also to 4.10 Meningococcal disease).
4.9.12 Public health management of measles
Advice on post-exposure management of measles clarified in Table 4.9.2: Post-exposure prophylaxis required within 72 hours of first exposure for persons exposed to measles.
Meningococcal disease
This entire Handbook chapter has been reviewed and updated including:
- Addition of two new meningococcal vaccine formulations: meningococcal B vaccine (Bexsero) and quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Nimenrix).
- Recommendations on the use of Bexsero.
- Recommendations for the use of prophylactic administration of paracetamol with Bexsero as an exception to routine Handbook recommendations.
- Recommendations for vaccination of groups at increased risk of meningococcal disease including men who have sex with men, college students, new military recruits and people with HIV.
- Recommendations for vaccination of persons with certain medical conditions (including age of use and booster recommendations by vaccine brand).
- Recommendations for vaccination of travellers (including age of use and booster recommendations by vaccine brand).
Pneumococcal disease
4.13.4 Vaccines, 4.13.6 Dosage and administration, 4.13.7 Recommendations, 4.13.11 Adverse events and 4.13.12 Variations from product information
Information on registration of 13vPCV for use from 6 weeks of age added.
4.13.6 Dosage and administration
Recommendation for the use of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine updated:
Co-administration of 23vPPV and Zostavax is acceptable (refer also to 4.24 Zoster).
Poliomyelitis
4.14.7 Recommendations
Information on international health regulations related to polio added (refer also to 3.2 Vaccination for international travel).
Rabies and other lyssaviruses
4.16.5 Rabies immunoglobulin
Information added on alternative products for use during potential shortages of rabies immunoglobulin.
4.16.8 Recommendations
Information added on appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis following a potential exposure to a terrestrial animal in an area where rabies is not enzootic.
Tetanus
Recommendations on the use of pertussis-containing vaccines updated (refer to 4.12 Pertussis).
Varicella (chickenpox)
Advice on the prophylactic use of paracetamol updated (refer also to 4.10 Meningococcal disease).
Yellow fever
Information on booster dose requirements under International Health Regulations added.
Zoster (herpes zoster)
4.24.6 Dosage and administration
Recommendations on the use of zoster vaccine updated, including:
- Co-administration of 23vPPV and Zostavax is acceptable (refer also to 4.13 Pneumococcal disease).
4.24.7 Recommendations
Recommendations on the use of zoster vaccine updated, including:
- Zostavax recommendations now broken down by new age groups.
This document was printed on: 24/01/2019. Printed content may be out of date. For up to date information, always refer to the digital version: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/about-the-handbook/updates/2015-06-22.