Information updates

The ASCIA Guide - Milk Substitutes in Cow’s Milk Allergy has been updated to include a new amino acid formula option, 'Essential Care Jr' which is available from Cortex Health and listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).  

The updated ASCIA Guide is available at www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/guide-for-milk-substitutes-cows-milk-allergy

The ASCIA Guide can be used to advise parents and carers who are affected by recent supply issues for specialised infant formula from the following companies:

• Abbott - Some EleCare, Similac and Alimentum products www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/info-updates/infant-formula-recall
• Bayer - Novalac Allergy www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/info-updates/bayer-novalac-allergy-infant-formula-update
• Nutricia - Allerpro Syneo Stages 1 and 2, Pepti Junior and Neocate Junior Unflavoured www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/info-updates/nutricia-allergy-formula-supply-issues

New ASCIA anaphylaxis refresher e-training for health professionals takes around 45 minutes to complete, includes EpiPen and Anapen training, and has been developed to upskill or provide interim refresher training. The course is suitable for medical practitioners (including GPs, paediatricians and physicians), pharmacists, nurse practitioners and nurses, dietitians and other allied healthcare professionals.  To register go to  https://etraininghp.ascia.org.au/

This short course includes four modules:

• Module 1: Allergy and Anaphylaxis
• Module 2: Adrenaline (Epinephrine) 
• Module 3: Anaphylaxis Management, Prescribing and Referral Guidelines
• Module 4: Final Assessment - a certificate confirms successful completion when 100% is obtained.

Learning outcomes:

1. Differentiate between a mild to moderate allergic reaction and anaphylaxis.

2. Outline acute management for mild or moderate allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.

This course should be used to upskill or as interim refresher training. It does not replace the full ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training course for health professionals, which takes around 1.5 hours to complete and includes detailed modules about epidemiology, diagnosis, acute management of anaphylaxis and allergy to stings and bites.

If health professionals have completed the full 2021 ASCIA course, but not the updated 2021-2 course which includes Anapen, as well as EpiPen training, then they can complete  ASCIA anaphylaxis refresher e-training as it includes EpiPen and Anapen training.

ASCIA gratefully acknowledges sponsors listed on the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/sponsors who provide unrestricted educational grants that have supported the development of this course.

About ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training courses

• ASCIA has provided anaphylaxis e-training courses since 2010, and there are more than 100,000 registrations for ASCIA courses each year from Australia and New Zealand.
• Development and updating of all ASCIA e-training courses involves an extensive review process that involves ASCIA members and other stakeholders.
• ASCIA retains copyright and control of all ASCIA e-training courses. Content is regularly reviewed and updated when there are changes in published evidence and products. 

ASCIA anaphylaxis resources are available at www.allergy.org.au/anaphylaxis

CSL Behring is hosting a webinar on the key highlights from the AAAAI 2022 Annual Meeting on Wednesday 23rd March 2022, from 6.00 – 7.15 pm AEDST (5.00 - 6.15 pm Brisbane / 5.30 – 6.45 pm Adelaide / 3.00 – 4.15 pm Perth / 8.00 – 9.15 pm Auckland).  The program and presenters are listed below.

To register go tohttps://event.on24.com/wcc/r/3655443/EB004EB050F9323BD09D311BD2383C34

For more details please refer to the pdf: AAAAI Highlights 23 March 2022 Invitation484.04 KB

Continue reading

A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI)* shows that food allergy prevention measures may be working. The study looks at hospital admissions in Australia for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), and reports that the rate of increase in anaphylaxis to food among children has flattened, with the changing of advice to feed babies the common allergy causing foods by 12 months of age. 

*JACI is an official scientific journal of the AAAAI, and is the most-cited journal in the field of allergy and clinical immunology worldwide. 

https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0091674922000811

The main aim of the study was to see if changes to the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Guidelines for infant feeding and allergy prevention had any impact on hospital admission rates for childhood food allergy. ASCIA guidelines have changed in response to published studies over the last 15 years, from a recommendation to ‘delay’ allergenic foods (1999 to 2007) to ‘not delay’ (2008) and then later to ‘introduce early and often’ (since 2016). 

This study provides the first real-world evidence showing that food allergy prevention measures (as outlined in ASCIA Guidelines for Infant feeding and Allergy Prevention), are having a measurable impact on the population prevalence of food-related anaphylaxis presentations to hospital.

ASCIA Guidelines for infant feeding and allergy prevention and ASCIA How to Introduce Solid Foods for Allergy Prevention FAQ  are amongst the most popular webpages on the ASCIA website since the Guidelines were updated in 2016.

Through the National Allergy Strategy, a partnership between ASCIA and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA), online resources are available on the Nip Allergies in the Bub website www.preventallergies.org (which are based on ASCIA Guidelines), that provide simple and practical information to help parents introduce the common allergy causing foods to their babies. A new series of short videos to help parents feed their babies the common allergy causing foods are now available. To read more go to www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/info-updates/new-nip-allergies-in-the-bub-infant-feeding-videos

Allergy prevention study media release: www.mcri.edu.au/news/serious-allergic-reactions-food-among-children-stabilise-guideline-changes

Stallergenes Greer is hosting a 'Perspectives in AIT: 2022 and Beyond' scientific symposium as a webinar on Thursday 17th March 2022 6.00 – 7.30 pm AEDST (5.00 - 6.30 pm Brisbane / 5.30 – 7.00 pm Adelaide / 3.00 – 4.30 pm Perth / 8.00 – 9.30 pm Auckland).  The program and presenters are listed below.

To register go to https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkd-6spjwrHNyyWuMIJxbrUnx-O1sXbOFr

For more details please refer to the pdf: Allergen Immunotherapy 17 March 2022 Invitation162.73 KB

PLENARY (30 min): Evidence-based approaches to house dust mite ait: international insights and trends.

EXPERT PANEL (30 min): Burdens, risks and optimal management of springtime allergy: latest australian data

Featuring ‘snapshots’ of the very latest local research presented by:

Prof. Jo Douglass (Melbourne)
James Stewart Chair of Medicine, University of Melbourne; Director of Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital

Prof. Sheryl van Nunen OAM (Sydney)
Clinical Professor, Macquarie University; Clinical Associate Professor, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney; Visiting Medical Officer, Northern Beaches Hospital

Prof. Simon Haberle (Canberra)
Professor of Natural History, Director of the School of Culture, History and Language, Australian National University; Pollen lead for AirRater, ACT

A/Prof. Ed Newbigin (Melbourne)
Botanist, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne; Co-ordinator, Melbourne Pollen Count Team

COMBINED Q&A SESSION (30 min): Prof. Pfaar and the Australian Expert Panel will provide a platform to explore an overarching question: Based on the latest science, what approaches and future directions would inform the prescription of AIT to allergy sufferers in Australia?

Chair: A/Prof. Kymble Spriggs
Clinical Associate Professor, University of Melbourne

Nutricia has advised that they are continuing to experience supply issues with Allerpro Syneo Stages 1 and 2, Pepti Junior and Neocate Junior Unflavoured (see table below). Nutricia has also advised that there is good supply for Neocate Gold and Neocate Junior Vanilla.

If you are affected by formula supply issues, alternative formula and milk products are listed on the ASCIA website: www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/guide-for-milk-substitutes-cows-milk-allergy

*Please note, these products need authority from the PBS or can be prescribed in consultation with a specialist i.e., paediatric allergist / immunologist or gastroenterologist. This consultation can take the form of a phone call or email between the GP / paediatrician and the specialist and, the patient must also have an appointment to see the specialist. They have also made allowances for waiting lists to see specialists.

**Not suitable for infants with suspected or confirmed soy allergy.

For supply of Karicare Soy, please note itis available in Woolworths, Coles and Chemist Warehouse stores nationwide and in www.nutriciastore.com.au 

If pharmacies are having difficulty ordering Neocate Gold or Neocate Junior Vanilla from their usual wholesalers, the following options are available:

1. Local pharmacy to order directly from Nutricia: Patients can ask their local pharmacy to contact Nutricia directly on 1800 889 480 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to place an order using a credit card.
2. Order online - Nutricia have partnered with some pharmacies that offer e-script fulfilment and interstate delivery. Patients just need to send their scripts via email to the following pharmacies:

• Better Value Springvale, VIC - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Better Value Box Hill, VIC - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• UFS Dispensaries, VIC - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Where CMPA is no longer suspected or has resolved, you may also consider the following products for the management of other feeding issues:

• Aptamil Gold+ Reflux – thickened formula with prebiotics for the dietary management of reflux or regurgitation

• Aptamil Gold+ Colic & Constipation –partially hydrolysed formula, low in lactose with prebiotics for the dietary management of colic and/or constipation

• Aptamil Prosyneo Sensitive – partially hydrolysed formula with prebiotics and probiotics

For supply of these products, please note that they are available in Woolworths, Coles, and Chemist Warehouse nationwide and in www.nutriciastore.com.au 

For any additional concerns or urgent queries, GPs, Allergy and Paediatric Specialists can contact their Nutricia Representative or the Nutricia Careline team on any of the following:

Phone: 1800 438 500

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Live chat: www.aptanutrition.com.au

Danone Nutricia has confirmed that there is good supply for Neocate Gold and Neocate Junior Vanilla. All Neocate formulas are specialised amino acid-based medical nutrition for the dietary management of infants and children with severe/complex cow's milk allergy, multiple food protein allergy and other indications where an amino acid diet is recommended by a healthcare professional.
Options to order Neocate products are as follows:

1. For pharmacies and hospitals:

• Order directly from Nutricia: Patients can ask their local pharmacy to contact Nutricia directly on 1800 889 480 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to place an order using a credit card.
• Order via their usual wholesaler

1. For patients:

• Purchase via their usual pharmacy
• Order online - Nutricia have partnered with some pharmacies that offer e-script fulfilment and interstate delivery. Patients just need to send their scripts via email to the following pharmacies:
o Better Value Springvale, VIC - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
o Better Value Box Hill, VIC - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
o UFS Dispensaries, VIC - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

New ASCIA Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) was developed in response to requests for clear and concise information about CSU.  CSU is the medical term for hives (the common term for urticaria) that are chronic (lasting six weeks or more, three to four times per week), and spontaneous (with no known trigger).

ASCIA CSU FAQ is now available on the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/patients/skin-allergy/urticaria-hives-chronic and includes information about:

• What is CSU?
• What causes CSU?
• How is CSU diagnosed?
• How is CSU treated?

Information about CSU for health professionals is available at www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/chronic-spontaneous-urticaria-csu-guidelines

Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd and Abbott US are conducting a precautionary recall of some EleCare, Similac and Alimentum infant formula products, due to the possible microbial contamination (Cronobacter and Salmonella), which may cause illness if consumed. These products are manufactured in Abbott’s Sturgis plant in the United States and are available through prescription at pharmacies, hospitals and via direct mail order. ​

Only products with specific codes and expiry dates are being recalled, which can be identified by the 7 to 9 digit code and expiration date on the bottom of the package. Products are included in the recall if they have all of the following three items:

• First two digits of the code are 22 through 37 and
• Code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, and
• Expiration date is 1 April 2022 (APR 2022) or later.​

If you are affected by this recall, you should change to a suitable alternative product as soon as possible. Alternative formula and milk products are listed on the ASCIA website:

www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/guide-for-milk-substitutes-cows-milk-allergy

For further information contact Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd www.abbottnutrition.com.au  Customer Service Number 1800 225 311.

Information about the product recall is available on the FSANZ website:

https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/industry/foodrecalls/recalls/Pages/Elecare,-Similac-and-Alimentum-infant-formula-products.aspx