Author: Ashleigh Brissett

We previously published an article regarding the emerging risks of the synthetic-opioid drug Nitazene in Australia – see here.  

Due to the devastating effects of the circulation of this drug, NSW Health has released a Consensus Guide for Clinicians to manage withdrawal and treatment initiation for nitazene dependence in patients. 

Importantly, an initial Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) is required where confirmed or suspected nitazene withdrawal is present, with continued review as needed. 

Naloxone is an effective treatment for opioid overdoses, including Nitazene. However, as Nitazene can last longer in the body than other opioids, higher and repeated doses of naloxone are required prior to hospital treatment for opioid overdoses. 

Naloxone is available free of charge at participating ‘Take Home Naloxone’ pharmacies, needle and syringe program sites and some NGO’s and Private services. In addition Naloxone can be purchased over the counter without a prescription at other pharmacies. 

The NSW Government offers to supply ACCHOs with Naloxone to dispense to clients and their carers free of charge.  To find out more you can contact moh-naloxone@health.nsw.gov.au 

If you have any questions contact publichealth@ahmrc.org.au 

 

Starting 3rd February 2025, New South Wales (NSW) will roll out a new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Prevention program.  

For Pregnant Women:  

Under this initiative, the maternal RSV vaccine Abrysvo® will be available to pregnant women free of charge through the National Immunisation Program (NIP). The vaccine will be administered to pregnant mothers between 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy, providing newborn babies with immediate protection against RSV infection.  

This new RSV vaccine will be recommended in addition to the current pregnancy vaccines, meaning that mothers will now be recommended to receive 3 vaccines during pregnancy: 

• RSV vaccine (Abrysvo®) : between 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. 
• Whooping cough vaccine: between 20 and 32 weeks of every pregnancy. 
• Influenza vaccine: Recommended for every pregnancy at any stage of pregnancy. 

For Babies: 

Until 16th March 2025: 

• The current NSW Vulnerable Babies Program will continue. 
• Eligible vulnerable infants receive the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab (Beyfortus™), funded by NSW Health. 
• Available through clinicians in treating hospitals and Aboriginal Medical Services. 

 From 17th March 2025: 

NSW Health will fund nirsevimab (Beyfortus™) for: 

• Infants at birth not protected by maternal RSV vaccination or with risk conditions for severe RSV disease. 

• Children up to 24 months with risk conditions for severe RSV disease entering their second RSV season. 

• Catch-up for infants born from 1 October 2024 to 16 March 2025 not protected by maternal vaccination and who did not receive nirsevimab at birth. 

 Further information is available on the NSW Health website here: NSW RSV Prevention Program – Information for health professionals  

In addition, the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) will host a webinar on RSV disease and its prevention, focusing on the newly funded RSV programs. 

To register for the webinar, please use the link below: 

Australian RSV immunisation update – new funded programs for infant protection 

Date: Thursday 6 February
Time: 12:00- 1:30PM AEST  
Cost: Free 

Information for Parents and Carers are available for parents and carers on the NSW Health Website: NSW RSV Prevention Program – Information for parents and carers. 

New resources will be available soon.  

Endometriosis is a progressive and chronic condition that can severely impact quality of life. Around 14% of Australian people with a uterus have endometriosis. 

For the first time in 30 years, the PBS has added a new medication for the management of endometriosis – Visanne. Dienogest is the progestogen based hormone found in Visanne that acts by shrinking the endometrial tissue and lessening pelvic pain. 

The management of endometriosis has also been bolstered by the recent initiative of opening Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinics across the country.

RANZCOG has developed a tool Raising Awareness Tool for Endometriosis (RATE) that can assist both clinicians and patients with identifying their pelvic pain and management options. 

Endometriosis Australia has resources for patients and health professionals on their website:  https://endometriosisaustralia.org/ 

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at publichealth@ahmrc.org.au 

The Communicable Disease Network of Australia (CDNA) has released an updated version of the National Guidelines for Syphilis which you can view here. 

An important update from these guidelines is the increase of screening in pregnancy to 3 times at: 

• First antenatal visit 
• 26-28 weeks 
• 36 weeks or at delivery (whichever is earlier) 

With a rise in congenital syphilis notifications in NSW, it’s vital that we continue to routinely screen throughout pregnancy to prevent this severe, disabling and sometimes life-threatening infection. 

Opportunistic screening of syphilis in people of reproductive age should continue to remain on our radar and syphilis screening is required to complete every STI check-up. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Syphilis results, treatment or contact tracing you can contact the Syphilis Support Program on 1800 451 624 Monday to Friday 9am-7pm. 

Please reach out to publichealth@ahmrc.org.au if you have further questions. 

The NDIS Commission is an Australian Government agency within the Social Services portfolio. It helps to protect the rights of people who receive NDIS support and/or services, and promotes their health, safety and wellbeing. It is the national regulator of NDIS support and service providers.

They work to ensure providers and workers know and follow the quality and safety rules help with, and respond to issues, complaints and serious incidents register, regulate NDIS providers Australia-wide, and educate and inform NDIS service providers, workers, participants and the community about the NDIS Commissions’ quality and safety rules.

The NDIS Commission is working towards ensuring culturally safe, nationally consistent, responsive and effective regulation of NDIS supports and services.

NDIS Plan Management

Incident reporting, management and prevention

First Nations Communities

Code of Conduct 

Brochure 

ASTI participant Information Pack