News

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

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.

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 a statement on the introduction of meningococcal ACWY vaccine (Nimenrix®) for adolescents through the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

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

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.

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

The Australian Government is extending childhood immunisation arrangements for family assistance payments to increase immunisation rates of children residing in Australia.

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.

A pertussis (whooping cough) booster has been added to the NIP for children at 18 months of age.

The digital Australian Immunisation Handbook is now available online.

The Pertussis Chapter, 4.12, of the 10th Edition of the Australian Immunisation Handbook has been updated and includes two changes to recommendations in the administration of pertussis-containing vaccine.

Important information on Zostavax and individuals who are immunocompromised.

The shingles vaccine, Zostavax®, has been approved to be placed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP), to be provided free of charge from 1 November 2016 to people aged 70 years. There will also be a 5 year catch-up program for people aged 71 to 79 years.

The final report of the evaluation of the National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Program has now been released.

Meningococcal B vaccine and clinical advice for immunisation providers regarding the use of Bexsero® (4CMenB). From 5 March 2014, the recombinant multicomponent meningococcal B vaccine Bexsero® (4CMenB) became available through purchase on the private market.

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

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.

The Zostavax® vaccine is now available nationally for immunisation providers for people aged 70 to 79 years under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has provided advice regarding alternatives during supply shortage of the adult formulations of hepatitis B vaccines.