On 4^th December, NSW Health issued a Media Release regarding the first 2025-2026 summer season detection of Japanese Encephalitis virus in mosquitoes in rural Victoria.

• NSW residents urged to take care this mosquito season [4 December 2025]

NSW Health's Acting Director of Health Protection, Dr Stephen Conaty, said these detections so early in the summer season are concerning.

“Mosquito numbers will likely increase with warmer weather, and we remind everyone in NSW to protect themselves against mosquito bites, which can cause diseases such as Japanese Encephalitis and Murray Valley Encephalitis, and infection with Kunjin virus, Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus," Dr Conaty said.

NSW Health have also sent a Provider Alert to all Immunisation providers in NSW asking them to be alert to the increased risk of mosquito borne diseases and promote vaccination.

For information on eligibility criteria for funded JE vaccine https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/jev/Pages/vaccination.aspx

Provider tookit https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/jev/Documents/jev-vaccination-toolkit.pdf

For information on eligibility criteria for funded JE vaccine https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/jev/Pages/vaccination.aspx

The NCIRS guide on vaccine recommendations for pregnant women provides current vaccine recommendations for pregnant women in Australia. It summarises the latest recommendations, safety information and key clinical considerations based on gestational age in one easy-to-use resource. Vaccine recommendations for pregnant women – a guide for health professionals

This updated measles vaccination guide provides clear, easy-to-follow guidance for immunisation providers. The resource simplifies assessment by outlining measles vaccination requirements based on age and previous number of doses. Measles vaccination – a guide for immunisation providers | NCIRS

From 5 September, GPs will not be required to use the ‘nirsevimab order form’ on the NSW State Vaccine Centre (SVC) ordering portal when ordering nirsevimab 50mg.

GPs can now order a maximum of 2 doses of nirsevimab 50mg directly from the SVC ordering portal as part of their monthly routine vaccine order.

This change will enable GPs to provide nirsevimab opportunistically to eligible at-risk infants who miss their birth dose of nirsevimab prior to discharge from hospital. Review patient eligibility for nirsevimab on the NSW Health website.

Due to limited supply, GPs will need to continue to order nirsevimab 100mg through the Nirsevimab Order Form on the portal.

If you have any questions about the program including the nirsevimab ordering process, please contact Immunisation Unit, Health Protection NSW at MoH-VaccReport@nsw.health.gov.au.

With the inclusion of Prevenar 20 to replace Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23 on the childhood schedule under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), it is a good time to order resources for your patients. These resources help parents and carers in remembering when the next vaccines are due, ensuring scheduled vaccines are administered on time.

Order resources to your practice via the following links:

• Childhood vaccinations consumer brochure
• NIP childhood schedule fridge magnet card
• Following vaccination – what to expect and what to do

A reminder to also direct parents and carers to the Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) webpage if they have further questions regarding scheduled vaccinations.

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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