Immunisation Community of Practice

From September 2024, free shingles vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) will be expanded to include people at moderate to high risk of severe infection and complications from shingles.

The herpes zoster vaccine, Shingrix® is available free to eligible individuals:

• aged 65 years and over
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over
• adults aged 18 years and over who are at increased risk of herpes zoster due to an underlying condition and/or immunomodulatory/ immunosuppressive treatments. Details regarding those who are at increased risk of herpes zoster is available in the Shingles vaccination - Program advice for health professionals (September 2024)

More information and advice on the shingles vaccination program is available on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

NCIRS is monitoring and reporting 2024 influenza vaccination coverage data, which will be updated regularly (initially, weekly) on their website throughout this influenza season.

Access the data

The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care recently launched its 2024 influenza vaccination campaign to raise awareness of the serious risks of influenza and the benefits of vaccination.

New video advertisements have been developed as part of the campaign to raise awareness of the seriousness of influenza, including during pregnancy and in children under 5 years of age.

Health professionals’ recommendations and advice play an important role in patients’ vaccination decisions. Health professionals are encouraged to promote and display the campaign materials in patient-facing areas.

View the campaign website

Medical contraindications to influenza (flu) vaccines can now be recorded as ‘influenza vaccines’ instead of recording the influenza vaccine brand, using the AIR site or your software.

Medical contraindications can be reported by the following provider types:

• general practitioners
• general practice registrars on an approved 3GA training placement
• paediatricians
• public health physicians
• infectious diseases physicians
• clinical immunologists.

Information on how to report a medical contraindication to the AIR is published on the Services Australia website here.

The AIR042A report has been expanded and now includes both influenza and COVID-19 vaccination history for individuals who received a vaccination or MBS service at a practice.

Further information about AIR reports is available on the Services Australia website and an AIR042A eLearning module and simulation are available on the education gateway.

Q fever (Q-Vax) vaccines and natural immunity information can now be reported to the AIR.

Vaccination providers will no longer be able to report Q fever vaccine information to the Q Fever Register.
Previous historical data stored within the Q Fever Register will not be automatically transferred to the AIR. Individuals can take their Q fever vaccination evidence (Q Fever eStatement) to a recognised vaccination provider in Australia and request that this information be recorded on AIR; it will then be listed on their Immunisation History statement. Alternatively, individuals may use their existing Q Fever eStatement as vaccination evidence, provided it is accepted by their employer.

Individuals can access their Q Fever eStatement by:

• logging onto the Q Fever Register website and downloading a copy
• requesting a copy by either contacting the Q Fever Register or calling 1300 733 837. An individual’s identity must be verified before the release of any information. Individuals are required to provide their full name and date of birth and to answer a security question (or provide their Q Fever Number).

Additional non-standard vaccines and immunisation products can now be recorded on AIR:

• Abrysvo (respiratory syncytial virus [RSV])
• Arexvy (RSV)
• Beyfortus (nirsevimab – monoclonal antibody for the prevention of RSV)
• Generic RSV
• Degvaxia (dengue fever)
• Generic Dengue
• Q-Vax (Q fever)
• Vaxchora (cholera)
• Vaxneuvance (15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine; available to report to AIR from 22 May 2024).

The list of all vaccines that can be recorded on the AIR is available here.

Ensure you are using the latest version of your software product to access the full range of vaccines available for reporting. Your software vendor can assist you with this.

New education resources relating to the AIR are now available through the Services Australia education gateway. They include the following:

• eLearning module: Report a Planned Catch Up to the AIR
• eLearning module: AIR010A Due/Overdue report – by Immunisation Practice
• Simulation: How to request an AIR010A Due/Overdue report – by Immunisation Practice.

Visit the education gateway to view the range of education resources for health professionals, including resources about the AIR, Health Professional Online Services (HPOS) and Provider Digital Access (PRODA).

The following update has been sent out to GPs today by NSW Health regarding respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

This includes:

• The current recommendations for monoclonal antibody (mAb) eligibility and access for vulnerable babies and under the

NSW Health RSV vulnerable babies program

• Arexvy vaccine for > 60 years (available on the private market only) and current ATAGI recommendations

Statement on the Clinical use of Zoster vaccine in older adults in Australia (health.gov.au)

This resource provides easy-to-read information on common reactions that may occur after vaccinations. It has has been reprinted and hard copies can now be ordered.

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/following-vaccination-what-to-expect-and-what-to-do