Have you seen the latest National Immunisation Program (NIP) changes for toddlers?

From 1 July, the NIP Schedule at 12 months of age has changed ^1-4

To ensure the NIP Schedule is aligned with changes in disease patterns, an update has been made to the recommendations on the use of pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines.^2,3

There has been a change of schedule for pneumococcal conjugate vaccination, where for all children without increased risk of pneumococcal disease the 6-month dose of Prevenar 13 (pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, 13-valent adsorbed) has been moved to 12 months.^1,2,4

All children who have previously received Prevenar 13 at 2, 4 and 6 months should receive one dose at 12 months.^1,2,4

 

Those born between 01 July 2017 and 31 December 2017: give a booster dose of 13vPCV at age 12 months or 2 months after the previous dose, whichever is later, regardless of whether they have already received a 3rd dose of 13vPCV at age 6 months.4 Clinical advice to support changes to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) from 1 July 2018 -          25 June 2018

 

Why?

Since the introduction of Prevenar 13, there has been a large reduction in vaccine-type invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) cases. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of cases of IPD seen in children beyond 12 months of age.²

 

………a dose of 13vPCV in the second year of life (booster dose) is critical to further increase both direct and indirect benefits of the childhood 13vPCV program for all Australians2 Public Consultation Document – Infant Pneumococcal Vaccination Schedule Recommendations – 1 September 2017

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in WA, NT, SA, and QLD, and all children with underlying medical conditions associated with an increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease, should receive Prevenar 13 at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months (3+1 schedule).²

Meningococcal quadrivalent vaccination is new to the schedule, where for all children the 12-month dose of HibMenC vaccine has been replaced by Nimenrix (meningococcal polysaccharide serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine).^1,3,4 The fourth dose of Hib vaccine has been moved to 18 months.¹ There is no change to the MMR vaccine.¹

 

From 1 July, at 12 months of age, every child needs 3 injections
An injection for pneumococcal disease	Prevenar 13	Change of schedule1,2,4
An injection for invasive meningococcal disease (A,C,W-135,Y)	Nimenrix	New to schedule1,3,4
A combined injection for measles, mumps, rubella	MMR	No change1

 

Parents can be assured that each of the three vaccines in the updated NIP Schedule is important and can be administered concurrently.^1–6

 The following video contains tips and techniques for delivering multiple injections, as well as advice on how to reassure parents who may be concerned about concurrent administration of vaccines.

 

Resources to help you with this change

National Immunisation Program Schedule	Immunise.health.gov.au
National Immunisation Hotline	1800 671 811
Department of Health Resources link	https://bit.ly/2tUwMaY
National Centre for Immunisation Research & Surveillance fact sheets	ncirs.edu.au/provider-resources/ncirs-fact-sheets
Multiple Injection Technique video	https://goo.gl/bh59K7
Pfizer Medical Information	1800 675 229
Prevenar 13 and Nimenrix Product Information	pfizer.com.au
State Health Services	Contact your State Department of Health for more info.

 

There is no catch-up program available. Prevenar 13 and Nimenrix remain available on private prescription for patients ineligible via the NIP.

NIP: National Immunisation Program; HibMenC: Haemophilus influenzae type b and Meningococcal C vaccine; Hib: Haemophilus influenzae type b; MMR: measles, mumps and rubella virus vaccine; 13vPCV: Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, 13-valent adsorbed.

This content has been produced by Pfizer.                       

Please review full Product Information before prescribing. Product Information is available on request on 1800 675 229 or here for Nimenrix and here for Prevenar 13.

References:

1. Australian Government Department of Health. National Immunisation Program Schedule. Available at: https://bit.ly/2EkXr3I (accessed: August 2018).
2. Australian Government Department of Health: Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. Public consultation on the infant pneumococcal vaccination schedule. Available at: https://bit.ly/2IcQ9WF (accessed: August 2018).
3. Australian Government Department of Health: Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. Public consultation on changes to the recommended use of meningococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccines. Available at: https://bit.ly/2Gf9cd7 (accessed: August 2018).
4. Australian Government Department of Health: Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice to support changes to the National Immunisation Program from 1 July 2018. Available at: (accessed: August 2018).
5. Prevenar 13^® Approved Product Information.
6. Nimenrix^™ Approved Product Information.

TM Trademark,®Registered trademark. Pfizer Australia Pty Limited, Sydney, Australia. PP-PNP-AUS-0089

                                

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