Updates to the Handbook

Update to page to reflect the availability of Verorab inactivated rabies vaccine.

Update to Table. Vaccines that are contraindicated in pregnancy: live attenuated vaccines to reflect the availability of oral cholera vaccine.

Guidance updated to note the first cervical screening in women at 25 years of age as an opportunity to offer catch-up HPV vaccination for anyone who is unvaccinated. Additional guidance added to note situations where vaccination may need to be considered for children aged <9 years of age (e.g. have a history of sexual abuse or have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection). In these children, a subsequent dose should be given as routinely recommended, ideally at age 12-13 years.

Updates throughout the chapter to reflect that Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccines are now preferred for use in a primary course and as further doses. Other vaccine types are acceptable, but Omicron XBB.1.5-containing vaccines are preferred. Other changes reflect the availability of the new vaccine formulations and unavailability of older vaccines (such as the Spikevax original 6 months - <5 years formulation).

Minor update to include information regarding Shingrix and Guillain–Barré syndrome.

Update to clinical guidance regarding Zoster vaccination in Table. Catch-up schedule for people ≥10 years of age (for vaccines recommended on a population level).

Update to clinical guidance regarding Recombinant Zoster vaccine (Shingrix) in Table. Recommended vaccines for people before and after a solid organ transplant and Table. Recommendations for revaccination after haematopoietic stem cell transplant in children and adults.

Updates to clinical guidance throughout the chapter to reflect the listing of Shingrix vaccine on the National Immunisation Program for eligible groups.

Minor updates to clinical guidance relating to preparation of all injectable vaccines, administration using subcutaneous injection and the intramuscular injection technique.

Minor updates to clinical guidance around post-exposure prophylaxis for people exposed to measles.

Minor updates to clinical guidance around routinely recommended vaccines (not specific to travelling overseas), including the addition of advice regarding COVID-19.

Update to the list of people who work with animals who are recommended to receive Q fever vaccine.

Minor updates to clinical guidance around assessing the cause of an AEFI and assessing people for a history of allergies.

Updates to clinical guidance to remove specific guidance regarding rotavirus, zoster and BCG vaccines, and to include guidance regarding live JE vaccine.

Updates to clinical guidance to include information on administration of vaccines in individuals with bleeding disorders.

Minor updates to clinical guidance including inclusion of COVID-19 vaccine in Table. Vaccines that are not routinely recommended in pregnancy: inactivated viral vaccines.

Minor updates to clinical guidance throughout the chapter to reflect amended age indications for pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Vaxneuvance.

Updates to clinical guidance throughout the chapter to reflect the amended indications for Vaxneuvance (15vPCV) now also for use in children.

Minor updates to clinical guidance throughout the chapter to reflect amended age indications for the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Vaxneuvance and the addition of COVID-19 vaccine.

Major update to provide an enhanced COVID-19 disease chapter that consolidates the available COVID-19 clinical guidance material.