Immunisation Community of Practice

GSK has advised that some copies of the GSK Rotarix Dosing and Administration Wheel (Rotarix Wheel) contain errors. All providers are advised to stop using the Rotarix Wheel and discard any copies.

There is no issue with Rotarix vaccine itself, or the recommended schedule for administration as per the NIP or Handbook, just the Rotarix Wheel printed resource.

The below email has been sent to GPs from GSK

16^th January 2023

Rotarix Dosing and Administration Wheel – discrepancy in date estimate
Dear Healthcare Professional,

GSK is committed to providing resources to healthcare professionals (HCPs) to support the quality use of our medicines and vaccines. Rotarix (human rotavirus, live attenuated oral vaccine) is indicated for the prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis.

It has come to GSK’s attention that discrepancies have been noticed in some copies of the Rotarix Dosing and Administration Wheel (Rotarix Wheel). An image of the Rotarix Wheel is included below for reference. GSK recommends that HCPs immediately cease use of the Rotarix Wheel and discard any copies currently in their possession. In 2023, GSK intends to refresh the aids it provides to immunisers to assist with dosing and administration of Rotarix.

Please note: There is no impact to the quality of the Rotarix vaccine, this letter relates solely to the Rotarix Wheel, which is collateral distributed separately from the Rotarix vaccine.

As stated in the Rotarix Product Information, the vaccination course consists of two doses. The first dose should be given between 6 and 14 weeks of age. The interval between the two doses should not be less than 4 weeks. The vaccine course should be completed by the age of 24 weeks as safety has not been assessed in older children. This dosing schedule aligns with the current National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule with the first dose being administered at 2 months of age and the second dose being administered at 4 months of age. Dosing schedule recommendations from both the Rotarix Product Information and NIP have been correctly printed on the Rotarix Wheel for the HCP’s reference.

For information on GSK products or to report an adverse event involving a GSK product, please contact GSK Medical Information on 1800 033 109.

Yours Sincerely,

Vincent So
Head of NIP Vaccines Business
GSK

The Australian Immunisation Handbook has recently updated a number of pages and the updates can be viewed on the Handbook website.

From 3 December 2022 the AIR042A report will be temporarily unavailable whilst enhancements are made to improve usability and to future proof the report so that it is aligned with evolving clinical advice regarding multiple boosters and new COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccination providers will still be able to access and view reports that they’ve requested prior to 3 December 2022.

It is anticipated the enhanced AIR042A report will be available for vaccination providers to use from March 2023.

The NSW pharmacist vaccination program has been expanded to include 6 additional vaccines:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Japanese encephalitis – completion of an additional education module is mandatory
• Poliomyelitis
• Typhoid
• Zoster vaccine – Shingrix only not Zostavax.

The NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards and NSW Pharmacist Vaccine Authority have been amended to reflect this.

Additional information regarding the NSW pharmacist vaccination program is available here.

All sites will have their allocation for Moderna ancestral (red cap) set to zero in COVID-19 Vaccine Administrative System (CVAS) from Saturday 22 October 2022. Sites were able to place their last order for Moderna ancestral by midnight Friday 21 October 2022.

Two new provider types, Residential Care Facilities (RCFs) and Authorised Nurses Immunisers (ANIs) have been added to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) and can apply for an AIR Provider Number. This AIR update provides information and advice on possible scenarios.

The advice is that a nurse in general practice is not required to get an AIR provider number and therefore an ABN is not needed.

If someone is working as a contractor and needs an ABN they can apply directly to the ABR and there is no fee to get an ABN.

Q In what settings should an ANI apply for an AIR provider number?

A In NSW a Registered Nurse/Midwife who holds the relevant qualifications for administering immunisations independently, has an ABN and who:

• plans on administering vaccines independently, or
• administers vaccines at a location that does not already have or is unable to register for an AIR provider number

The Authority for Nurse/Midwife Immunisers has been amended to include the following additional vaccines:

• Japanese encephalitis vaccines – mandatory training required
• Typhoid vaccines
• Herpes Zoster – Shingrix only. Does not include Zostavax

The Authority is available from: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Documents/authority-for-RNs-and-midwives.pdf

In order to administer the Japanese encephalitis vaccines Authorised Nurse/Midwife Immunisers must have completed Japanese encephalitis: A resource for registered nurses and midwives

Researchers at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) are conducting a study investigating the current utilisation of vaccine safety surveillance systems by immunisation providers across Australia. To help inform this study, you are invited to participate in a short telephone or videoconference interview to share your experiences – good, bad or non-existent – with vaccine safety surveillance systems in your daily practice.

The findings from this study will help improve vaccine safety surveillance systems in Australia, ensuring they are fit-for-purpose for the needs of you and your patients in the future.

Click here to register your interest

Participants will be given a voucher for their time and interviews can be scheduled at a time that suits you to ensure there is no impact on your ability to see patients. Interviews will take place throughout October and November.

For further information or if you have any questions about the study, please email NCIRS Senior Program Officer, Nicola Carter at Nicola.Carter@health.nsw.gov.au

Expressions of interest close 30 October 2022.

If your practice has not received the vendor email invite to obtain your reimbursement for private flu vaccines. Please email kwisemantel@thephn.com.au with your details and best email address and I can action it with the Ministry of Health.