News and media

From 1 July 2020, the National Immunisation Program schedule will be updated based on the advice of clinical experts.

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months and over (unless contraindicated). This will reduce their chance of becoming ill with influenza.

A new communication package is available to help healthcare providers conduct effective conversations with parents regarding childhood immunisations.

The Australian Government has commissioned the Australian Academy of Science to develop a suite of educational and promotional materials to raise awareness about measles.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has developed advice for immunisation providers regarding the administration of Dengvaxia® for Australians. It includes information about the dengue virus, as well as use, efficacy and safety of the dengue vaccine in Australians.

The National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’ provide up-to-date information and key recommendations about safe vaccine storage. The 3rd edition is now available and includes new appendices to support you.

From 16 August 2017, general practitioners (GPs), paediatricians, infectious disease physicians, public health physicians and clinical immunologists can issue a medical exemption to vaccination that will be recognised by the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

Phase 3 of the Childhood Immunisation Education Campaign – ‘Get the facts about immunisation’ (the Campaign) launched in January to encourage Australian parents and carers to get their kids vaccinated.

From 1 April 2019, a single dose of the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine (Nimenrix®) protecting against serogroups A, C W and Y will be provided free to year 10 students and adolescents aged 15 - 19 who missed receiving the vaccine at school.

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged six months and over (unless contraindicated) to reduce their chance of becoming ill with influenza.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has provided advice to support immunisation providers ahead of this year’s influenza season.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has provided a statement on the introduction of meningococcal ACWY vaccine (Nimenrix®) for adolescents through the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

The influenza and pertussis vaccines are available at no cost to pregnant women.

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months and over (unless contraindicated) to reduce their chance of becoming ill with influenza.

A public consultation is currently open on proposed changes to the recommended use of pertussis vaccines in pregnant women in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has recently published a series of Fact Sheets on vaccine preventable diseases. They provide information about the diseases and their impact in Australia, including the number of cases reported, hospitalisations and deaths.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine doses can now be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). This makes it easier for healthcare providers to find information about their patient’s HPV vaccinations.

The digital Australian Immunisation Handbook is now available online.

Advice for vaccination providers about maternal vaccination through the National Immunisation Program from 1 July 2018.

From 1 July 2018, the childhood immunisation schedule will be updated based on the advice on clinical experts.

Advice on the presence of natural rubber latex in the sheath covering the needle of the Fluad trivalent influenza vaccine. Anyone who has a severe allergy to latex should not receive Fluad.