Updates to the Handbook

Updates to clinical guidance have been made throughout the chapter in line with the 2023 ATAGI annual statement for seasonal influenza vaccines.

Updated information is provided on influenza vaccination and influenza activity in the context of COVID-19 vaccination and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Updates to clinical guidance throughout the chapter to include interim recommendations for extended valency vaccines (Vaxneuvance [15vPCV] and Prevenar 20 [20vPCV]) in adults for whom they have recently been registered by the TGA but are not currently funded under the National Immunisation Program.

Updates to the Table. Components of vaccines used in Australia to include cell-based influenza vaccine (Flucelvax Quad) and 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevenar 20).

Updates to clinical guidance in multiple sections to reflect the addition of a 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Updates to reflect addition of 20vPCV in Table. Vaccines that are not routinely recommended in pregnancy: inactivated bacterial vaccines.

Updates to guidance regarding HPV vaccination for catch-up of people ≥10 years of age (for vaccines recommended on a population level).

Updates to clinical guidance throughout the HPV disease page to incorporate the change from a 2-dose to 1-dose HPV vaccination schedule for young adults, including to recommendations and vaccine, dosage and administration.

Additionally updates to the following sections:

• contraindications and precautions
• adverse events
• nature of the disease
• clinical features
• epidemiology
• vaccine information
• variations from product information

Update to guidance regarding HPV vaccination for People who have completed cancer therapy, Solid Organ transplant recipients and Haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Updates to clinical guidance through the chapter to provide information regarding 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (15vPCV).

Updates to clinical guidance including to:

• pre-vaccination screening
  • to include guidance on coadministration of Fluad Quad and Shingrix vaccines
  • to provide information on COVID-19 vaccines
• components of vaccines used in Australia
  • to provide information on COVID-19 vaccines and Vaxneuvance
• cold chain management to provide information on vaccines that are transported and stored frozen

Updates to clinical guidance to include 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Updates to clinical guidance throughout the chapter to include 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (15vPCV) where appropriate.

Updates to Table. Vaccines that are not routinely recommended in pregnancy: inactivated bacterial vaccines to include 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Updates made in routes of administration to information on zoster

• Updated guidance relating to catch-up of meningococcal vaccines. 
• Updated guidance on zoster vaccines in Table. Catch-up schedule for people ≥10 years of age (for vaccines recommended on a population level) 

Guidance on co-administration with other vaccines has been updated to remove guidance on co-administration with Menactra.

Update to remove guidance on co-administration with MenACWY vaccine.

Updates to co-administration with other vaccines to remove guidance on co-administration with MenACWY vaccine.

Introduction of a new vaccine – MenQuadfi and removal of the Menactra vaccine.

Extensive changes to the Recommendation sections and Tables of the chapter including:

• Any person from 6 weeks of age who wants to reduce their risk of meningococcal disease is recommended to receive MenACWY vaccine and MenB vaccine
• Infants and children aged <2 years are strongly recommended to receive MenACWY vaccine
• Infants and children aged <2 years are strongly recommended to receive MenB vaccine
• Healthy adolescents aged 15–19 years are strongly recommended to receive MenACWY vaccine
• Healthy adolescents aged 15–19 years are strongly recommended to receive 2 doses of MenB vaccine
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 2 months to 19 years are strongly recommended to receive MenACWY vaccine
• All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 2 months to 19 years are strongly recommended to receive MenB vaccine
• People with medical conditions that increase their risk of invasive meningococcal disease are strongly recommended to receive MenACWY and MenB vaccines
• Laboratory workers who frequently handle Neisseria meningitidis are strongly recommended to receive MenACWY and MenB vaccines
• People who travel to areas where meningococcal disease is more common, or who travel to mass gatherings, are strongly recommended to receive MenACWY vaccines
• Adolescents and young adults living in close quarters are strongly recommended to receive MenACWY and MenB vaccines
• Adolescents and young adults who are current smokers are strongly recommended to receive MenACWY and MenB vaccines

Additions to other sections of the chapter include:

• Adverse events - addition of MenQuadfi vaccine

Minor changes in the following section of the chapter include:

• Nature of the disease
• Clinical features
• Epidemiology Transporting, storing and handling vaccines
• Variations from product information

Reference section has been updated.

Updates made to Co-administration with other vaccines to remove information about co-administration of MenACWY vaccines.