The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has announced changes to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) childhood pneumococcal schedule, following advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

From 1 September 2025, Prevenar 20 will replace Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23. All First Nations children will now receive 4 doses, ensuring national consistency.

From 1 September 2025, children should receive Prevenar 20 based on their current vaccination status:

• Non-First Nations children without risk conditions, who are yet to start the pneumococcal schedule should receive 3 doses of Prevenar 20 at 2,4 and 12 months of age.
• All First-Nations children and children diagnosed with any risk conditions listed in the Australian Immunisation Handbook, who are yet to start the pneumococcal schedule, should receive Prevenar 20 at 2,4,6 and 12 months of age.
• All children who have received 1 or 2 doses of Prevenar 13 should receive Prevenar 20 for all subsequent doses to complete the recommended vaccination course (where required).
• Children who have completed their vaccination course with Prevenar 13 and are due for any dose of Pneumovax 23 should receive 1 dose of Prevenar 20 instead. Pneumovax 23 may still be used while stock remains available.
• Children aged ≥12 months – ≤17 years newly diagnosed with any risk conditions listed in the Australian Immunisation Handbook should receive Prevenar 20 at diagnosis.

Further information

National Immunisation Program - Childhood pneumococcal vaccine program advice for health professionals

National Immunisation Program - Childhood pneumococcal vaccine consumer fact sheet

National Immunisation Program - Childhood pneumococcal vaccination frequently asked questions

National Immunisation Program Schedule

These materials will be linked to the relevant pages on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing when they become available online on 1 September 2025.

Research Organisation

University of Sydney

Summary

Researchers at the University of Sydney are investigating the use of private vaccines. This refers to vaccines that are recommended for certain patients, but not funded by government programs.

They are interviewing fellowed GPs in NSW about their experiences of these vaccines and the barriers and enablers to their use. Participating in the research involves a 30-45 minute interview over zoom, and participants will receive a $100 electronic gift card in recognition of their time.

Please contact Dr. Lucy Coles, Academic GP Registrar, by email at lucy.coles@sydney.edu.au if you are interested in participating.

Approved by USYD HREC 2025/HE000162

Research Tool

• Interview

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has put out an alert after receiving 84 reports as of June this year, of administration errors relating to Abrysvo, Arexvy and nirsevimab, involving the products being administered outside of the current clinical recommendations.

Read the TGAs Advice on how to avoid errors

Key Points:

• The National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides the free maternal RSV vaccine Abrysvo® to eligible women at 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.
• States and territories offer the infant Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) RSV monoclonal antibody product. This product is covered through state and territory RSV infant protection programs. Contact your local PHU for any questions regarding eligibility and access.
• People aged 60 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over, and people with medical risk conditions may consider purchasing RSV vaccines through the private market. However, these cannot be reimbursed through the NIP or state and territory programs.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) products Program advice for health professionals

The HNECCPHN is again pleased to announce that Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open to General Practices to participate in a Free Adult Influenza Vaccine Recall Program, similar to our Pnuemococcal Recall Program that is still ongoing.

The PHN, in collaboration with Healthily (a communications company) and CSL is inviting General Practices within our region that use CAT4 to participate in a free Influenza Vaccine SMS recall program.

This Quality Improvement Activity (QIM 4) supports a streamlined recall process, to increase the uptake of the National Immunisation Program (NIP) funded Influenza vaccination in older adults.

Please contact Kaycee via practicesupport@thephn.com.au(External link) if you require additional information

Register to participate here

(External lin

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved an expanded indication for AREXVY, now including adults aged 50-59 who are at increased risk of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease.

The official indication now reads as follows:

AREXVY is indicated for active immunisation for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in:

• Adults aged 60 years and older.
• Adults aged 50 through 59 years who are at increased risk for RSV disease.

The AIR has introduced new warning messages for some influenza and RSV vaccines to improve the quality of data being reported to the Register.

Immunisers will receive a warning message in software and when using the AIR site if they attempt to report the following vaccines to the AIR for individuals under the recommended age:

The message will indicate that the vaccine has been administered under the minimum required age. If this message is received, immunisers will need to review the vaccine administered and ensure the correct vaccine has been selected. If the wrong vaccine has been already inadvertently administered, the error must be disclosed to the patient and reported to the local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.

As a reminder, reporting to AIR is compulsory. This includes reporting of vaccines that have been administered in error.

The introduction of new vaccine products can increase the risk of vaccine administration errors. Immunisation providers must ensure that a vaccine is clinically appropriate for the patient prior to administration. Some potential errors include:

• Error 1: Administration of Arexvy® in pregnant women instead of Abrysvo®
• Error 2: Administration of Abrysvo® to infants instead of Beyfortus™
• Error 3: Administration of NIP-funded Abrysvo® to adults instead of privately funded RSV vaccine.

Infant RSV immunisation

• Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) monoclonal antibody is registered for used in infants aged <24 months.
• Funding: Beyfortus™ is funded by NSW Health for infants who meet the eligibility criteria.
• Recommendation: A single dose of Beyfortus™ is recommended for infants who are not protected by maternal RSV vaccination, given before their 1^st RSV season. Medically at-risk children are also recommended to receive Beyfortus™ before their 2^nd RSV season (RSV season is typically April to September).

Eligible newborns will be offered Beyfortus™ in hospital under the NSW RSV Prevention Program. General practices can order Beyfortus™ where an eligible child has been missed in hospital or has not received 2^nd RSV season dose in hospital. General practices are advised NOT to keep Beyfortus (nirsevimab) stock in their vaccine refrigerators.

Maternal RSV vaccine

• Only Abrysvo® is registered for used in pregnant women.
• Funding: Abrysvo® vaccine is NIP-funded for pregnant women.
• Recommendation: A single dose of Abrysvo® given at 28 to 36 weeks gestation.

Adult RSV vaccine

• Either Arexvy® or Abrysvo® is registered for use in adults aged 60 years and over.
• Funding: Not funded for adults. Both Arexvy® or Abrysvo® are only available via private prescription.
• Recommendation: A single dose of either Arexvy® or Abrysvo® for all adults aged ≥75 years, given before the start of the RSV season where possible.

Services Australia have released a series of new infographics to support health professionals using the Australian Immunisation Register.

• Infographic: Deleting a vaccination from Australian Immunisation Register

• Infographic: Australian Immunisation Register reports - for health professionals and organisation
• Infographic: Check the accuracy of your encounter details before sending to the AIR

These infographics and other AIR resources are available on the Health Professionals Education Portal on the Services Australia website.

Resources and advice for vaccination providers regarding the 2025 influenza season is now available and includes:

• ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2025
• 2025 influenza vaccination – Program advice for vaccination providers
• 2025 influenza (flu) vaccination - Consumer fact sheet
• Chief Medical Officer advice: National Immunisation Program - 2025 influenza vaccination, information for health professionals
• Getting vaccinated against influenza - resource collection 2025
• National Immunisation Program Schedule (updated)
• SKAI communication package: Conversations with parents and pregnant women around influenza vaccination

Further advice and resources will become available on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website in advance of the program rollout in April. Health care providers can receive the latest National Immunisation Program updates by subscribing to the Department of Health and Aged Care email list.

Influenza Vaccination Program 2025: for immunisation providers

Key points

• Influenza vaccination reduces the severity of influenza-related illness and risk of influenza-related hospitalisations and deaths.
• From April 2025, free influenza vaccines will be available to eligible people under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
• Immunisation providers should prioritise children 6 months to under 5 years, Aboriginal people, pregnant women, people with an increased risk of complications from influenza, and people aged 65 years and over.

Download the full toolkit