Evidence check
A rapid review outlining the available evidence on a discrete topic or question. Evidence includes grey and peer review literature. View all Evidence Checks by date of publication.
Archive COVID-19 pandemic and influenza
Added: 14 Apr 2022
What is the evidence for COVID-19 pandemic and influenza?
- During the COVID-19 pandemic many jurisdictions have seen a sharp decline in influenza circulation, especially during the typical flu season, compared to pre-pandemic periods.
- Vaccination remains one of the most effective measures to prevent influenza outbreaks, and is seen as critically important following relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions.
- Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advises that influenza vaccines can be co-administered (i.e. on the same day) with the COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19 vaccines in Australia
Added: 19 Aug 2021
Updated: 18 Mar 2022
What is the evidence on COVID-19 vaccines in Australia?
- Internationally as of 16 March 2022, 35 vaccines are approved and 11.04 billion doses have been administered.
- In Australia, four vaccines have been approved for use - Comirnaty (Pfizer), Spikevax (Moderna), Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca), and Nuvaxovid (Novavax). As of 13 March 2022, approximately 55.1 million doses have been administered.
- All vaccines that are approved for use have strong safety profiles and benefit to risk ratios.
Archive Omicron (BA.2 sub-lineage)
Added: 11 Feb 2022
Updated: 18 Mar 2022
What is the available evidence for the BA.2 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant of concern?
- Omicron includes four Pango lineages: the parental B.1.1.529 and the descendent lineages BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3. WHO is monitoring all variants under ‘Omicron’.
- Properties of BA.2 are under investigation but remain unclear. WHO recommends that investigations into the characteristics of BA.2, including immune escape properties and virulence, should be prioritised independently (and comparatively) to BA.1.
- The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Variant Technical Group designated BA.2 as a ‘variant under investigation’ on 19 January 2022.
Archive Budesonide and aspirin for pregnant women with COVID-19
Added: 25 Feb 2022
What is the evidence for the use of Budesonide for pregnant women with COVID-19? What is the evidence for aspirin prophylaxis for pre-eclampsia in pregnant women with a COVID-19 infection?
- While the early administration of budesonide has been shown to improve outcomes for people with COVID-19 more broadly, evidence is lacking on its use in pregnant women with COVID-19.
- Evidence prior to COVID-19 has shown inhaled corticosteroids, including budesonide, are safe in pregnant women.
- Narrative reviews and guidance for women with COVID-19, or during the COVID-19 pandemic, generally recommend low-dose aspirin as primary and secondary prophylaxis for pregnancy complications including preeclampsia.
Archive COVID-19 pandemic and wellbeing of critical care and other healthcare workers
Added: 18 Feb 2022
Evidence in brief on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of critical care and other healthcare workers.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, critical care and other healthcare workers may be at increased risk of physical and mental stress, including depression, anxiety, exhaustion and burnout.
- Managing the wellbeing of healthcare workers during the pandemic may include providing psychological support, assisting with basic needs and promoting self-care.
- There is limited evidence on the effectiveness of different management strategies.
Archive Disease modifying treatments for COVID-19 in children
Added: 11 Feb 2022
What is the evidence for disease modifying treatments for COVID-19 in children?
- Most of the trials on disease modifying treatments for COVID-19 are focused on adults, and many of the recommendations made for children cite these adult studies.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis on COVID-19 treatment in children found anti-inflammatory agents, such as corticosteroids, and antivirals, such as remdesivir, have the most promising evidence for use with severe cases of COVID-19 in children.
- Australian and international guidance outlines recommendations for the use of disease modifying treatments for COVID-19 in children.
Archive Mask type for COVID-19 positive wearer
Added: 11 Feb 2022
What is the evidence for different mask types for COVID-19 positive wearers?
- Most of the available literature on different mask types looks at the prevention of COVID-19 infection and is not specifically carried out in COVID-19 positive people.
- In experimental studies on COVID-19 positive patients, surgical masks have been shown to be less effective in filtering viral particles compared with N95 masks.
- Australian Government guidance on personal protective equipment in hospitals states that patients with acute respiratory symptoms or confirmed or potential COVID-19 wear a surgical mask. TheWorld Health Organization suggests disposable medical masks be worn by people who have recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Archive Post acute and subacute COVID-19 care
Added: 30 Sep 2021
Updated: 11 Feb 2022
What published advice and models of care are available regarding post-acute and subacute care for COVID-19 patients?
- The burden post severe COVID-19 and prolonged ICU stay is considerable in patients, affecting both functional status and biological parameters, suggesting the need for close follow-up for critically ill COVID-19 survivors.
- Emerging evidence suggest that age, hospitalisation, a higher number of onset symptoms, history of asthma bronchiale, distinct immunoglobulin signature and an increase of certain inflammatory markers during primary infection are associated with an increased risk of developing post-acute sequalae of COVID-19. A pre-print study suggests that COVID-19 infection may cause microscopic damage to the lungs which may explain the breathlessness experienced by post-acute COVID-19 patients.
- National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce recommendations for the care of people with post-acute COVID-19 encompass assessment, managing infection, diagnosis, red flags and symptoms, as well as goals of care such as communication, access and coordination.
Rapid evidence checks are based on a simplified review method and may not be entirely exhaustive, but aim to provide a balanced assessment of what is already known about a specific problem or issue. This brief has not been peer-reviewed and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement, nor is it an endorsed position of NSW Health. Evidence checks are archived a year after the date of publication.