IMAC UPDATE: VHW webinar 15 March; Comirnaty, MenB Bexsero hot topics; Influenza;

MedSafe re mpox; op guide.

Kia ora koutou,

Kia kaha everyone out there, there is alot going on and alot of change to take note of for our hard working vaccinating and allied health workforce. So we'll try to be succinct with this quick update for you on hot topics and upcoming activities that could be useful for you. Apologies for the Friday afternoon enews but just keen to get this information to you as soon as we can and sometimes that falls on a Friday.

Please find below information on:

• Webinar coming up March 15 for VHW with NIP and IMAC

• Comirnaty grey caps tips, new addition to list

• MenB Bexsero tips

• Flu update - expanded to 6m-13y, more below

• MedSafe safety signal raised re mpox and pericarditis, details below

• Manatū Hauora has published new operating guidelines for both immunisation, and COVID immunisation, links below.

Ka kite, noho ora mai

Immunisation Advisory Centre team

VHW WEBINAR 15 March

Vaccinating Health Worker (VHW) and new Stage 2 training

Date: Wednesday 15 March 2023, 12-1pm

Teams live event follow this link to attend the webinar

The webinar is for any potential or current employers of VHWs, their supervisors or VHWs themselves.

The webinar will cover:

1. The Journey of the VHW role so far

2. Detail on the new VHW Stage 2 training

3. Experiences of Māori and Pharmacist providers employing VHWs (TBC)

4. Walk through on how to access the training and the new IMAC Learning Management System (LMS)

5. Where to next for the VHW

6. Questions and answers

Comirnaty Grey Cap vaccines hot topics and updates

• Open vaccine vials have a 12 hours expiry and should be stored in the fridge, as per best practice for all vaccines. This is part of the operations guidance. It can be drawn up and administered cold. Although we are aware that the vaccine is stable at room temperature for up to 12 hours once vial is open, this carries potential risks and is not advised.

• Expiry in syringes: maximum expiry of 6 hours, or the use by time on the vial, whichever is soonest. Syringes can be stored either in the fridge or at room temperature. Clearly mark vaccines with type of vaccine and use by time.

• Grey cap vaccine record sheets have been updated - the latest have red text on them.

• Covid Vaccine screening guide has also been updated to v18 - so please use this one.

• Spacing and eligibility for boosters, and guidance on spacing post COVID disease has not changed. You will be aware that there will be updated guidance around these issues, but changes only start from 1 April. We will share more information about this in the near future.

• Resources and guidance are on our Comirnaty Grey Caps resources page

MenB Bexsero vaccine hot topics

• Don't forget to check the expiry dates on Bexsero if it's been in the fridge a while.

• Bexsero vaccine can be entered into the PMS and claimed from 1 March (today). This will be slightly different for each PMS type and will be communicated to PMS users by PMS vendors.

• The administration fee for Bexsero will be paid if it is administered with other scheduled vaccines or if it is administered on its own at 8 weeks and 4 months.

• Opportunistic catch-up Bexsero vaccine administered to the eligible groups anytime from 1 March will be funded.

• Resources and guidance are on our MenB Bexsero resources page

Summary issues:

• MedSafe safety signal raised about mpox and pericarditis – see below from Te Whatu Ora’s update.

• Flu vaccinations to be funded from ages 6 months to 12 years, Māori and Pacific peoples 55-64 years, all: 65+ years, pregnant, those with mental health and addiction problems. The expanded access starts 1 April

• Flu resources for 2023 available on website, Flukit is coming soon.

• New Manatū Hauora operating guidelines for immunisation.

• New Manatū Hauora COVID-19 operating guidelines.

Medsafe safety signal - Mpox vaccinations

Medsafe have published a new 'safety signal' for mpox vaccinations on their website after two reports of pericarditis following mpox vaccination. We are asking clinicians for extra vigilance to the signs of pericarditis among patients who may recently have had an mpox vaccination.

Find information for healthcare professionals on this here.

Te Whatu Ora is working closely with Medsafe and awaiting further information. In the interim, people who present for mpox consultations should continue to be fully informed about the risks and benefits of vaccination for their circumstances at this time.

Please be aware that there is a temporary delay in second doses for people other than those with immune disorders while further information is sought. While two doses were recommended, good levels of protection are provided by a single dose

As always, please report any suspected adverse reactions to vaccination to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring