Dear colleagues,
My last Vaccination Hub Bulletin was distributed the week before Christmas, which now seems a lifetime ago! I have a number of vaccination-related topics to update you on.
Booster interval reduced to 3 months
On Wednesday 19 January 2022, the Victorian Government announced that it is reducing the interval between the second and booster dose to 3 months for everyone aged 18 years and older, making an additional 1.2 million Victorians eligible before school returns. Immunocompromised people that have received three primary doses can also receive their fourth dose. The interval has now been reduced from four months to three months from the third dose. The government also announced a four-day booster blitz from Friday 21 to Monday 24 January at a number of state-run vaccination sites. Our Sunshine Hospital vaccination site will support the booster blitz with increased cubicles and opening hours extended from 8am-8pm.
Mandatory booster dose for healthcare workers
Under new pandemic orders released on 12 January 2022, workers in key sectors – including healthcare – must get their third vaccine dose to allow them to continue to be permitted to work on site.
Healthcare Workers, including all Western Health employees, that were eligible for a third dose on or before 12 January will have until 12 February to get their third dose. Health care workers that become eligible for their third dose after 12 February must receive their third dose by 29 March 2022.
The mandatory vaccination requirement will not apply to workers who have a valid medical exemption.
Anyone can walk into any Western Health vaccination site to receive their booster during operating hours. Staff are encouraged to take advantage of the extended hours this Friday and over this weekend during the booster blitz to get their #jabdone. The third dose is vital for protection against Omicron, so please don’t delay.
For staff that have already received their third dose elsewhere, you can update your Western Health records by emailing in your Vaccination Record (available via Medicare online) to covidvaccination@wh.org.au and including your full name (as it appears on your pay slip) and employee number. Please note that the vaccination certificate cannot be used as evidence for your third dose as it unfortunately does not show all three doses.
Walk in vaccination for 5-11 year olds available at Melton and Sunshine sites
As of Tuesday 25 January 2022 our Melton and Sunshine vaccination sites will be the first clinics in the State accepting walk-ins for 5-11 year old vaccinations. Both hubs have been transformed into the enchanted forest of protection, providing a fun and welcoming space for kids and their families. A range of engagement and support services are available for children at both sites with additional accessible options and supports for children with developmental disabilities, autism and/or sensory issues.
The paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine reduces COVID-19 risks for children and has the additional benefit of reducing risks of transmission to older contacts. As per ATAGI’s clinical guidance, children who turn 12 after their first paediatric dose can receive the adolescent/adult formulation of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to complete their primary vaccination course. For more information, visit our COVID-19 microsite.
Paediatric VicSIS Clinic
Western Health operates a Victorian Specialist Immunisation Service Update (VicSIS) Paediatric Clinic for children that have a higher risk of an adverse event following immunization, including:
- anaphylaxis or generalised allergic reaction (without anaphylaxis) to any component of the COVID-19 vaccine to be administered
- multiple allergic reactions to medications containing polyethylene glycol (PEG)
- a history of mastocytosis with recurrent anaphylaxis that requires treatment
- a history of recent (eg. within the last 3 months) or current inflammatory cardiac illness (myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis), acute rheumatic fever or acute rheumatic heart disease, or acute decompensated heart failure
Children suffering severe needle phobia may also be referred to VicSIS for administration of COVID-19 vaccines once all avenues for supporting vaccination have been exhausted.
VicSIS criteria for referral can be found here.
For more information regarding VicSIS, please visit the VicSIS website.
New vaccination sites operated by IPC and Co-Health and overseen by Western Health
Four new vaccination sites in the West Metro catchment are now being overseen by Western Health but operated by Cohealth and IPC Health. Cohealth’s vaccination sites are located in West Melbourne and Central City Drill Hall (Melbourne) and IPC Health’s vaccination sites at Caroline Springs and Dianella Community Centre (Tarneit West).
Regards,
Shane Crowe
Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery