ATAGI recommends a winter COVID-19 booster dose for people at increased risk of severe COVID-19. The additional winter booster is recommended for other people at increased risk, to be given 4 months after their first booster dose or COVID-19 infection (if applicable). adults aged 65 years and older residents 16 years and older of aged care or disability care facilities Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 50 years and older people aged 16 years and older with a medical […]

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted provisional approval to Biocelect Pty Ltd (on behalf of Novavax Inc) for its COVID-19 vaccine, NUVAXOVID for primary vaccination in individuals 18 years of age and older. This is the first protein COVID-19 vaccine to receive regulatory approval in Australia. It is recommended that the vaccine is given in 2 doses administered 3 weeks apart. It is provisionally approved for primary vaccination only at this stage. The full TGA media release is available […]

The TGA has announced it has provisionally approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose in individuals aged 18 years and over. The vaccine may be administered 6 months after the second dose of the primary series of any approved COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, it can be given as a booster dose 28 days after the second dose of the primary series in severely immunocompromised individuals aged 12 years and over.  Read the media release here.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) granted provisional approval to Moderna Australia Pty Ltd for its COVID-19 vaccine in August, with the approval for use in individuals 12 years and older granted on 4th September 2021. The Product Information, FAQs and information on labelling and batch testing are also available on the COVID-19 vaccines hub. Further information on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is also available on the Department of Health website.

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) has published its Fourth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health (AURA 2021).  The most comprehensive report produced on Australian antimicrobial use and resistance trends to date has found that while antimicrobial use in the community is decreasing, over prescribing and inappropriate prescribing continues to be a problem. AURA 2021 highlights the ongoing public health and safety threat posed by antimicrobial resistance, with areas of concern across […]

The content of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s Antimicrobial Stewardship in Australian Health Care book continues to grow, with the latest chapter dealing with AMS and community and residential aged care. Key elements include: Aged care services in Australia and infectious diseases and ageing Presentation of infections in older people Antimicrobial use and aged care services including specific areas of concern such as topical antimicrobial usage, asymptomatic bacteriuria and viral infections. Antimicrobial stewardship program strategies […]

On 10 June 2021 the Australian government published new guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in the context of COVID-19. The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce has now published its full set of consensus guidance on the use of P2/N95 respirators, surgical masks and eye protection. You can view it on the online guideline platform MAGICapp. https://app.magicapp.org/#/guideline/4826 The guidance has been developed using a ‘living evidence’ approach which allows the Taskforce to regularly update guidance as […]

The 2021 ACIPC International Conference will be delivered as a hybrid event with both in-person and online attendance options. The in-person conference will take place at the Adelaide Convention Centre, 7 – 10 November and will include national and international invited speakers, abstract presentations, social events, and a comprehensive trade exhibition. To help facilitate the participation of international colleagues and those unable to travel to Adelaide, it is anticipated all conference invited speakers and free paper sessions will be live […]

The 2021 Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard supersedes the 2017 Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infection Standard. The new standard provides further support to health service organisations to prevent, control and respond to infections that cause outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, including novel and emerging infections. The changes made to the standard clarify existing requirements and reflect the lessons from the response to COVID-19. A factsheet shows the differences between the new standard and the previous standard. Whilst retaining a focus on patient safety, […]

Mandatory reporting starts today, 15 June 2021, for all approved providers of residential aged care services to report and provide weekly updates every Tuesday on the COVID-19 vaccination status of their aged care workforce. Starting today, 15 June 2021, all approved providers of residential aged care services must report every Tuesday. It will become mandatory for providers of in-home and community aged care services in the coming weeks. Reporting is via the My Aged Care portal for providers. The new […]