GNN monthly update: February 23'
Dear all,
As we get closer to the SAGE meeting in March 20th-22nd, if there are last minute NITAG representatives who have not received an invitation and who would like to attend virtually, you can contact myself and Saliha Beaumont
COVID-19:
ATAGI published recommendations regarding COVID-19 boosters in 2023, replacing previous ATAGI COVID-19 vaccine booster advice.
ATAGI recommends a 2023 COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for adults in the following groups, if their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer, and regardless of the number of prior doses received:
- All adults aged 65 years and over
- Adults aged 18-64 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs.
ATAGI advises the following groups should consider a 2023 booster dose if their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer, and regardless of the number of prior doses received, based on an individual risk benefit assessment with their immunisation provider.
- All Adults aged 18-64 years without risk factors for severe COVID-19
- Children and adolescents aged 5-17 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs.
ATAGI advises that a booster dose is not recommended at this time for children and adolescents aged under the age of 18 who do not have any risk factors for severe COVID-19.
STIKO published its statement on COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, available in German here. STIKO also looked at the protein-based vaccine VidPrevtyn Beta (Sanofi Pasteur), which was approved by the EU on November 10, 2022 for the booster vaccination of people aged ≥ 18 years. After evaluating the data from the approval studies, STIKO decided not to currently recommend the use of VidPrevtyn Beta due to the limited data situation. More information here. The French NITAG published the vaccination strategy against Covid-19: Anticipation of vaccination campaigns in 2023, available here. In Argentina, the committee agrees with recommending the Covid vaccine boosters for children and adolescents: 1) 6 months to 2 years inclusive: first booster 2) 3 to 11 years inclusive: second booster 3) 12 to 17 years inclusive: second booster. It is recommended to review strategies and communication to improve primary coverage. The possibility of applying boosters is opened with the following considerations: 1) 3-11 years: improve coverage without separating into groups according to risk factors 2) 6-12 years: improve coverage thinking that the booster would correspond to the winter period 3) 12-17 years: recommend boosters. In Colombia, vaccination against COVID will be included for all children from 6 months to 3 years of age. A booster will be given to all children from 3 to 12 years of age who were vaccinated with two doses of COVID vaccine from SINOVAC laboratory.
Influenza:
NACI published the Recommendation on Repeated Seasonal Influenza Vaccination.
HPV:
In Australia, from 6 February 2023, the routine 2-dose HPV vaccine schedule provided to young people aged 12 to 13 years will become a single dose schedule. The National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides the schedule using the same Gardasil®9 vaccine. The ongoing NIP-funded catch-up program for young people who missed their HPV vaccination is also extending. The program will extend to those up to and including 25 years of age (increasing from 19 years of age). Young people (except those who are immunocompromised) who receive a single dose before 26 years of age now don’t need a second dose to be fully vaccinated. People who are immunocompromised should still receive 3 doses of the HPV vaccine, which are all funded under the NIP before 26 years of age. This change comes from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s (ATAGI) advice, who have considered the latest international scientific and clinical evidence. The data shows a single HPV vaccine dose gives comparable protection to healthy young people.
NGI-TAG (Nigeria) issued the updated HPV Technical Dossier on Quadrivalent HPV (Gardasil-4valent) 1-dose Regimen, available here.
PCV :
In Belgium, the NITAG issued recommendations on Pneumococcal vaccination in children and adolescents. Given the evolution of our epidemiology and the predominance of non-vaccine serotypes (non-PCV15) in Belgium, the effect of PCV13 or PCV15 vaccines can be expected to be comparable in the target group. On this basis, the SHC currently recommends, without preference, PCV13 or PCV15 over PCV10. More information here.
Health workers:
The French NITAG is currently looking into the relevance of modifying the vaccination obligations and recommendations currently in force for students and professionals in the health and medico-social sectors. The committee will look at:
Current mandatory vaccination in force: diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B and covid-19;
Recommended Vaccination in force: whooping cough, influenza, hepatitis A, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox.
The methodology is available here.
SAGE:
SAGE updated the Good practice statement on the use of variant-containing COVID-19 vaccines, available here.
GNN:
The face-to-face GNN meeting is now scheduled for June 14-16th 2023 in Amman, Jordan. The meeting will be hybrid to allow remote participation.
Call for speakers: if your NITAG has issued or plans to make a recommendation on the following topics, please let us know:
- Off-label use of vaccines: how do NITAGs cope with off-label recommendations – case studies with HPV
- Catch-up vaccination policies and schedules
- health workers vaccination
Best wishes to all!
Louise
