Immunisation Community of Practice

In a statement released late last week, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd AO, declared diphtheria a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance (CDINS).

The declaration allows for enhanced coordination across all levels of government, enabling rapid deployment of vaccines, medications and workforce support, as well as nationally coordinated surveillance and public health guidance.

It follows the Government’s announcement of $7.2 million in funding.

Since the outbreak was first declared in the Northern Territory in late March, cases have spread to parts of Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, with 267 cases – including one confirmed death – reported as at 29 May 2026.

Diphtheria is caused by toxin-producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae and, less commonly, C. ulcerans, which can infect the respiratory tract or the skin, resulting in 2 forms of infection:

• cutaneous (skin) diphtheria, with symptoms including skin ulcers
• respiratory diphtheria, with symptoms such as fever and sore throat. In severe cases, a pseumomembrane (grey-white patch) can form in the throat and may lead to airway obstruction.

Healthcare providers in outbreak areas are urged to be aware of these symptoms.

Vaccination can protect against severe diphtheria infections and reduce transmission of the disease. Diphtheria toxoid vaccine is included in the childhood immunisation schedule and is recommended and available for free under the National Immunisation Schedule (NIP) at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months, and 4 years of age.

A booster dose is recommended and NIP-funded for children aged 11–13 years.

While the vaccine is highly effective in infancy, immunity wanes over time. For this reason, a diphtheria booster is also recommended for adults aged 50 years and over, and for those aged 65 years and over, if more than 10 years have passed since their last dose.

As part of the outbreak response, NSW Health along with other states and territories, are commencing programs for free diphtheria vaccines (beyond those funded on the NIP) for eligible people.

NSW Health Northern and Central Australia Diptheria Outbreak 2026

Australians are recommended to check their vaccination status and receive a diphtheria booster if one is due.

A new review published in the New England Journal of Medicine examines the drivers of childhood vaccine hesitancy and outlines strategies for healthcare professionals to address misinformation, build trust and support informed parental decision-making.

Clear and confident provider recommendations remain a strong predictor of vaccine acceptance and uptake. Key communication strategies include:

• presumptive communication approaches presenting vaccination as the default recommendation alongside respectful, patient-centred dialogue that acknowledges concerns
• empathy-based strategies such as motivational interviewing to address misinformation while maintaining trust
• tailored dialogue addressing specific access and acceptance barriers, including those identified through the National Vaccination Insights project

The authors also highlight Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) as a key resource, offering evidence-based tools to support conversations with parents across the vaccine intention spectrum.

Access the study here

Following on from the advice 22 May, that the NSW Nasal Spray Influenza Vaccine Program has now been expanded to include children aged 5 to 17 years of age vaccinated in community pharmacies. This now means that children aged 2-17 (inclusive) are now eligible to receive a free nasal spray flu vaccine in GPs, pharmacies and AMS’.

Resources regarding the expanded eligibility are available on the NSW Health Protection website and include printable posters, social tiles, family flu vaccination flyer, and the updated factsheet and information for health professionals.

NSW Health is expanding the Nasal Spray Influenza Vaccination Program to children aged 2 to 17 years (previously 2 to 4 years). From today, providers are encouraged to offer FluMist to children and adolescents.

Feedback from families and immunisation providers indicates strong demand for access to nasal spray influenza vaccine for older children.

This expanded eligibility aims to improve overall influenza vaccine coverage, reduce vaccine wastage, and strengthen public health outcomes ahead of winter.

Thank you for your continued support.

For more information, please contact your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 or visit NSW Health Immunisation Programs.

Respiratory syncytial virus

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) chapter has been updated to reflect the expansion of the national RSV program to include RSV vaccine Arexvy for older adults aged ≥75 years and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged ≥60 years. Other changes include clarification on timing of RSV-specific monoclonal antibodies in infants and co-administration in older adults. Updates were made to data on effectiveness and efficacy of Arexvy RSV vaccine in older adults. The RSV product administration errors table was updated

Influenza Vaccination in Children and Adolescents

This evidence-based course will give you the confidence to discuss and provide influenza vaccination to children and adolescents. Click ‘Take this Course’ to get access and strengthen your clinical expertise today.

To know more about the course, learning objectives and outcomes, please scroll down for more information.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the burden of influenza disease in children aged 6 months to <5 years and 5 years to <18 years, including hospitalisation and mortality rates.
2. Summarise influenza infection rates and vaccination coverage in Australia during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, including variation by state and territory.
3. Identify factors associated with declining childhood and adolescent influenza vaccination uptake.
4. Compare currently available influenza vaccine options for children aged 6 months to <5 years and 5 years to <18 years, including vaccines funded under the National Immunisation Program, state-based programs, and privately funded vaccines.
5. Explain key differences between intranasal and intramuscular influenza vaccine administration, including indications, contraindications and practical considerations influencing vaccine selection in clinical practice.
6. Apply evidence-based communication strategies to support informed decision-making and improve influenza vaccination uptake among children and adolescents.
7. Apply knowledge of influenza vaccination recommendations to real-world clinical scenarios encountered in primary care and community pharmacy settings.

The NSW Free Flu Vaccine Checker is a simple way to check if someone is eligible for a funded flu vaccine in NSW.

Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age each year. However, it can be tricky to navigate the criteria for funded flu vaccine, particularly the list of eligible medical risk conditions. This tool guides users through eligibility based on the National Immunisation Program and NSW Health policies.

This tool is designed for the general public, but clinicians may also find it useful to check eligibility for their patients.

Anyone is welcome to use or share the tool.

A poster with a QR code link is available to display in waiting rooms and other patient areas. This can be downloaded below, or please email: SESLHD-PublicHealthEnquiry@health.nsw.gov.au if you would like to be posted a laminated poster for your practice or pharmacy.

Other promotional images are also available to download below.

• Poster – general
• Poster – NSW Health facilities
• Email signature banner

Social media images

• Instagram post
• Instagram story image (add link when posting)
• Facebook poster
• Square image

The tool is an initiative of UNSW in collaboration with the South Eastern Sydney Public Health Unit.

The Medical Republic (AUS), 26 March 2026
Australians aged 50 years and older can now access Fluad under the National Immunisation Program. The adjuvanted trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine had been available to adults aged 65 and up under the NIP since 2018 but is now recommended for adults aged 50 years and older. Fluzone High-Dose (Sanofi-Aventis Australia) is recommended and included in the NIP for people 60 years and older.
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