Updates to the Handbook

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.

Pre-vaccination screening section updated to include guidance on appropriate spacing of inactivated and live parenteral vaccines.

Guidance on administration of rotavirus vaccine to infants exposed to bDMARDs in utero updated.

Guidance under Co-administration with other vaccines updated.

Guidance on concomitant and sequential administration of tetanus-containing vaccines with Menactra and Nimenrix has been added.

Editorial changes to 'Table. Recommended timing of live vaccine doses in adults and children taking corticosteroids' in the ‘Use of live vaccines in people who are immunocompromised' section, to correct prednisone-equivalent doses for children and adolescents aged <16 years who weigh >10 kg.

Guidance on assessing the level of immunocompromise in children and adults with HIV updated.

Guidance on vaccination of infants born to mothers who received bDMARDs during pregnancy updated.

Guidance on vaccination of infants exposed to bDMARDs (biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) in utero has been updated. Infants born to mothers who received bDMARDs during pregnancy are not recommended to receive rotavirus vaccine. Drug levels may be measured to guide decision-making.

Guidance on international travel requirements updated.

Contraindications for people who are immunocompromised updated.

Editorial change in Adverse events section to correct placement of references for the rate of immediate hypersensitivity reactions after yellow fever vaccination.

Guidance on risk to travellers updated.

Guidance on vaccination of travellers against measles, mumps and rubella updated to reflect advice in the Measles chapter.

Changes to catch-up recommendations for infants receiving MMR vaccines. The recommended age at which infants can receive MMR vaccine in special circumstances has been lowered from 9 months to 6 months. For additional details refer to MMR and MMRV vaccines and Measles.