Updates to the Handbook

2021 Influenza seasonal updates.

Updates to influenza information in line with the ATAGI annual statement for seasonal influenza vaccines. Flucelvax Quad is now registered for use in Australia and is indicated in children and adults ≥9 years of age. 

Editorial changes to content to reflect closure of National HPV Vaccination Program Register. 

Section on reporting to immunisation registers updated to reflect closure of National HPV Vaccination Program Register.

Changes to catch-up recommendations for children receiving pneumococcal and/or Hepatitis A vaccines. Guidance on concomitant and sequential administration of vaccines has been updated.

Changes to the vaccination schedule for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

Recommendations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia have changed. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in these states and territories are now recommended to receive Hepatitis A vaccine in a 2-dose schedule at 18 months and 4 years of age.

Recommendations have changed for people with risk conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and older adults.

The following changes have been made to recommendations for people with risk conditions:

• Category A and Category B conditions have been consolidated into a single list of risk conditions for pneumococcal disease.
• The recommended vaccines and number of doses — 1 extra dose of 13vPCV and 2 doses of 23vPPV — are now the same for all people with risk conditions.
• The number of lifetime doses of 23vPPV recommended for people with risk conditions is now limited to 2 doses.

The following changes have been made to recommendations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia are now recommended to receive 2 doses of 23vPPV in addition to the 4 doses of 13vPCV.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults without risk conditions for pneumococcal disease are now recommended to receive 1 dose of 13vPCV and 2 doses of 23vPPV at age ≥50 years.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults <50 years with risk conditions for pnuemococcal disease are to receive vaccines as per recommendations for people with risk conditions.

The following changes have been made to recommendations for healthy non-Indigenous adults:

• Healthy non-Indigenous adults are now recommended to receive a single dose of 13vPCV at age ≥70 years. Healthy non-Indigenous adults who do not have risk conditions for pneumococcal disease are no longer recommended to receive 23vPPV.

Changes to Hepatitis A and pneumococcal vaccine recommendations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Editorial update to reflect changes to pneumococcal vaccine recommendations for older adults and people with medical risk factors.

Changes to pneumococcal vaccine recommendations for people who are immunocompromised.

2020 Influenza seasonal updates.

• The indicated ages for FluQuadri and Influvac Tetra, have been extended. FluQuadri can now be used in children ≥6 months of age. Influvac Tetra can now be used in children aged ≥3 years of age.
• Vaxigrip Tetra is now registered for use in Australia and is indicated in adults and children ≥6 months of age.
• Fluad Quad (aQIV) is now registered for use in Australia and is indicated in adults ≥65 years of age.
• Fluad TIV and FluQuadri Junior have been discontinued.
• Fluzone High-Dose is not available in 2020.

Guidance on international travel requirements for yellow fever vaccination has been updated, including the details required on the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP).

Editorial updates to reflect the closure of National HPV Vaccination Program Register and principles of catch-up vaccination.

Section on assessing immunisation status updated to reflect closure of National HPV Vaccination Program Register.

Principles of catch-up vaccination updated to provide more detailed guidance on concomitant and sequential administration of vaccines.

Changes to Co-administration with other vaccines. Guidance on concomitant and sequential administration of diphtheria-containing vaccines with Menactra and Nimenrix has been added.

Guidance on co-administration of Hib-containing vaccines with quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines has been added.

Guidance on co-administration of hepatitis B-containing vaccines with quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines has been added.

Information about the seroconversion rate after a standard 3-dose schedule has been added.

Editorial changes to recommendations for preterm infants, people travelling in the influenza season, and co-administration with other vaccines.

Wording of recommendation for preterm infants updated to include recommended age for vaccination.

Recommendation for people travelling in the influenza season updated to include more specific guidance on vaccinating returning travellers who have received the Northern Hemisphere vaccine.

Guidance under Co-administration with other vaccines updated.

Editorial update of guidance on the age at 1st MMR dose for children, to correct typographical error.

Recommendation for travellers updated to provide more information about the age group of travellers who require 2 doses of MMR vaccine.

Guidance under Co-administration with other vaccines updated.

Nature of the disease section updated to define the prodromal period.

Vaccine information section updated to clarify WHO vaccine effectiveness estimate.

Editorial changes to advice on use of Menveo and co-administration with other vaccines.

Recommendations and Variations from product information updated to include advice on use of Menveo in infants travelling to areas with high meningococcal A activity. Advice on Menveo dose schedule for infants travelling to areas with high meningococcal A activity has been added. Three primary doses should be given with an interval of 8 weeks between doses, followed by a 4th dose at 12 months age.

Guidance on concomitant and sequential administration of Menactra and Nimenrix with other vaccines has been updated.

Editorial changes to guidance about co-administration with other vaccines and timing of vaccination for women during pregnancy.

• Guidance under Co-administration with other vaccines updated.
• Guidance on timing of vaccination for women who did not receive pertussis vaccine during pregnancy updated.

Editorial changes to the recommendations for people with medical risk factors and guidance for co-administration with other vaccines.

Recommendations for people with medical risk factors updated to provide greater clarity on the number and timing of 23vPPV doses.

Guidance under Co-administration with other vaccines updated.

Guidance on co-administration of IPV-containing vaccines with other vaccines, including quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines, has been added.