Immunisation Community of Practice

Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest clinical and program guidance on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) to help you deliver immunisation services to your patients.

About the NIP updates

The updates provide the latest information to assist providers administer vaccines on the NIP, including:

• changes to the NIP schedule

• clinical advice, including ATAGI clinical statements

• annual influenza program communication

• Australian Immunisation Register information.

We publish influenza program updates annually, and as needed for other NIP updates.

Who they are for

Our updates are for health professionals who have a role in promoting and administering NIP funded vaccines, including:

• general practitioners

• nurses

• midwives

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and workers

• specialists

• pharmacists

• practice managers and administrators.

How to subscribe

To receive NIP updates by email simply complete our online subscribe form.

Subscribe to NIP updates

After completing the form, you will receive an email requesting confirmation. Click on the link in the email to confirm your subscription.

How to unsubscribe

If you no longer want to receive the NIP updates, you can unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of each email.

How to access old updates

Find previous updates in the NIP updates archive.

Privacy

See the privacy notice for this service.

From 1 November 2023, Shingrix® will replace Zostavax® on the National Immunisation Program and will be funded for everyone aged 65 years and over, First Nations people 50 years and over, and immunocompromised people 18 years and over at high risk of herpes zoster infection.

¹ National Immunisation Program - changes to shingles vaccination from 1 November 2023 | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Following a recent increase in enquires regarding Zostavax availability, the NSW Immunisation Unit have managed to secure a small additional supply of vaccine that allows an increase ordering volumes for eligible providers to support any additional demands following the pending inclusion of Shingrix to the NIP.

Following feedback from the Aged Care providers and NSW Public Health Units, NSW Health has streamlined the ordering process for Residential Aged Care Facilities to order the NSW Stockpile of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for Influenza treatment and prophylaxis.

NSW Health has a limited supply of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) available for facilities that are unable to source their own access to Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) via their local General Practitioner.

Residential Aged Care Facilities are now able to order up to 250 courses of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) via RACF influenza antiviral treatment access - Immunisation programs (nsw.gov.au) following consultation and prescription from a General Practitioner.

For orders over 250 courses please consult with your local public health unit.

The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) has advised that their mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program (CVTP) will be ending on 1 October 2023. From 1 October 2023, clinicians participating in the administration of COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be required to complete the COVID-19 vaccine training modules developed by DoHAC in partnership with the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) and the learning platform will close.

The latest Provider Bulletin provides additional information on the cessation of the CVTP.

Authorised nurse and midwife immunisers and pharmacist immunisers that have undertaken the required training to supply and administer vaccines independent of a medical order will still be required to comply with NSW requirements. The Authority for registered nurses and midwives and the NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards have been revised and amended to include the following requirements for authorised immunisers administering COVID-19 vaccines:

• must have read the ATAGI guidance on the use of multi-dose vials for COVID-19 vaccinations;
• must have reviewed the NSW guidance on management of COVID-19 vaccines specific to each the vaccines that the immuniser will be administering (see NSW Health COVID-19 vaccination webpage for immunisation providers)

Additional information on immunisation is available on the NSW Health webpage.

NSW Health is urging the community to be on alert for symptoms of meningococcal disease and act immediately if they appear after the notification of recent cases.Meningococcal disease is a rare, but serious and sometimes fatal infection.

Meningococcal disease can cause lifelong damage – organ failure, disability, death.

15–25-year-olds are at higher risk.

Know the symptoms and see a doctor urgently.

Meningococcal symptoms include:

• sudden fever
• nausea and vomiting
• severe limb pain
• severe headache
• difficulty waking up
• stiff neck
• upset by bright lights
• high pitched crying in babies
• red-purple rash which doesn’t disappear when pressed with a glass

In-country technical assistance on immunisation in Solomon Islands

NSWISS is now using Consultmed to manage referrals.

For GPs, specialists, allied health or health professionals

• Referrals can be made using Consultmed, a secure e-referral platform. Create an account to get started.
• Referrals can also be emailed to SCHN-NSWISS@health.nsw.gov.au.

The NSWISS advisory service provides specialist immunisation advice for clinicians and providers across NSW.

For timely advice, please email your enquiry to SCHN-NSWISS@health.nsw.gov.au The NSW Immunisation Specialist Clinic 1800 number is no longer in use

The advisory service is Monday-Friday 9.00 am to 5pm (excluding public holidays)

For general information please contact your local public health unit 1300 066 055.

This updated tear-off pad covers post-vaccination experiences, what to do at home if a reaction has occurred, when to seek medication advice and how to report an adverse reaction.

Download here

New stock will be available to order in coming months to reflect changes to the National Immunisation Program.

The meningococcal B (Men B) vaccination catch-up program for Aboriginal children has been extended indefinitely.

Who is eligible for funded meningococcal B vaccine?

• Bexsero is provided under the NIP for Aboriginal infants at 6 weeks, 4 months, and 12 months of age, and for ongoing catch-up vaccination for Aboriginal children under 2 years of age.
• Some Aboriginal children who have certain at-risk conditions may need an extra dose at 6 months of age.
• All people with asplenia, hyposplenia, complement deficiency and treatment with exculizumad.

Where do I find further information?

• NSW Health Immunisation Schedule
• Australian Immunisation Handbook
• Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
• National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)
• Contact your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055

Where do I get printed copies of the NSW immunisation schedule?

Immunisation providers may order the updated NSW Immunisation Schedule, A3 poster and fridge basket stickers by completing the NSW Immunisation Resource Order Form and sending to the Better Health Centre, either via email at nslhd-bhc@health.nsw.gov.au or fax on (02) 9887 5452.