Immunisation Community of Practice

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Welcome to the Immunisation Community of Practice. A community of practice (CoP) is a group of people with a shared passion who come together and learn how to do better. The PHNs Immunisation CoP is your opportunity to get answers, share ideas and build your professional network regarding immunisation.

The PHN Immunisation CoP aims to reduce the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases in the community by providing appropriate and timely information about vaccine preventable diseases and the Immunise Australia Program to immunisation providers and the community and promote the delivery of the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases that can cause serious health problems in the community. Immunisation not only protects individuals from life-threatening diseases, but also dramatically reduces transmission in the community. The more people who are vaccinated, the fewer opportunities a disease has to spread.

Some of the benefits of joining this Community are:

  • 24/7 access to filed Immunisation resources,
  • keep current with Immunisation updates,
  • brainstorm about Immunisation,
  • and network with colleagues passionate about Immunisation.

Welcome to the Immunisation Community of Practice. A community of practice (CoP) is a group of people with a shared passion who come together and learn how to do better. The PHNs Immunisation CoP is your opportunity to get answers, share ideas and build your professional network regarding immunisation.

The PHN Immunisation CoP aims to reduce the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases in the community by providing appropriate and timely information about vaccine preventable diseases and the Immunise Australia Program to immunisation providers and the community and promote the delivery of the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases that can cause serious health problems in the community. Immunisation not only protects individuals from life-threatening diseases, but also dramatically reduces transmission in the community. The more people who are vaccinated, the fewer opportunities a disease has to spread.

Some of the benefits of joining this Community are:

  • 24/7 access to filed Immunisation resources,
  • keep current with Immunisation updates,
  • brainstorm about Immunisation,
  • and network with colleagues passionate about Immunisation.

  • Stick it to the Flu - 2026 Influenza Season

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    Stick it to the Flu - 2026 Influenza Season

    Your recommendations matter!

    Annual influenza vaccination is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of flu and protect people most at risk. Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.

    Under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), free influenza vaccines are available for:

    • pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy and in every pregnancy
    • children aged 6 months to under 5 years
    • people aged 65 years and over
    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
    • people with certain medical conditions

    New posters for the 2026 influenza season are now available to order. You can display the posters in waiting rooms, clinics, and community settings to support vaccination conversations and encourage timely vaccination. A range of additional influenza resources are also available.

    Getting vaccinated against influenza resources

    Stick it to the Flu - 2026 Influenza Season

    Your recommendations matter!

    Annual influenza vaccination is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of flu and protect people most at risk. Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.

    Under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), free influenza vaccines are available for:

    • pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy and in every pregnancy
    • children aged 6 months to under 5 years
    • people aged 65 years and over
    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
    • people with certain medical conditions

    New posters for the 2026 influenza season are now available to order. You can display the posters in waiting rooms, clinics, and community settings to support vaccination conversations and encourage timely vaccination. A range of additional influenza resources are also available.

    Getting vaccinated against influenza resources

  • World Immunisation Week (24-30 April)

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    Protecting against preventable diseases

    This World Immunisation Week (24–30 April) marks the launch of two national campaigns to help protect Australians from serious, preventable diseases: the Childhood Immunisation Campaign and the Winter Vaccination Campaign.

    The Childhood Immunisation Campaign reinforces the importance of timely vaccination under the National Immunisation Program for eligible children aged 0–4 years. The Winter Vaccination Campaign encourages older people to stay protected against influenza, COVID‑19 and RSV ahead of the winter season. The RSV vaccine is available on the NIP for eligible older people from 15 May 2026.

    Health professionals play a vital role in providing trusted, evidence-based vaccine advice. A range of free, ready-to-use resources are available to support patient conversations and display in your practice.

    Protecting against preventable diseases

    This World Immunisation Week (24–30 April) marks the launch of two national campaigns to help protect Australians from serious, preventable diseases: the Childhood Immunisation Campaign and the Winter Vaccination Campaign.

    The Childhood Immunisation Campaign reinforces the importance of timely vaccination under the National Immunisation Program for eligible children aged 0–4 years. The Winter Vaccination Campaign encourages older people to stay protected against influenza, COVID‑19 and RSV ahead of the winter season. The RSV vaccine is available on the NIP for eligible older people from 15 May 2026.

    Health professionals play a vital role in providing trusted, evidence-based vaccine advice. A range of free, ready-to-use resources are available to support patient conversations and display in your practice.

  • Fluad availability extended to over 50s

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    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.
    Read more

    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.
    Read more

  • On this day in medical history

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    On this day, 26 March 1953, Dr Jonas Salk announced the successful testing of his polio vaccine.

    That wasn’t just a scientific milestone. It was one of the great turning points in modern medical history.

    On this day, 26 March 1953, Dr Jonas Salk announced the successful testing of his polio vaccine.

    That wasn’t just a scientific milestone. It was one of the great turning points in modern medical history.

  • SMS reminders could boost timely childhood vaccination

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    A new Australian study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific has found that SMS reminders increased timely vaccination of children by around 6%.

    The randomised trial involved sending automated reminders to 9,993 parents of children registered with 20 primary health clinics across Australia.

    Although neutral SMS reminders were less effective than more persuasive messages, the researchers were unable to identify a single best combination of reminder content framing and timing.

    Other digital initiatives to boost on-time childhood vaccination include the NSW Government’s new online tool, which allows parents to check which vaccines their child needs and when by entering their child’s name and birth date.

    A new Australian study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific has found that SMS reminders increased timely vaccination of children by around 6%.

    The randomised trial involved sending automated reminders to 9,993 parents of children registered with 20 primary health clinics across Australia.

    Although neutral SMS reminders were less effective than more persuasive messages, the researchers were unable to identify a single best combination of reminder content framing and timing.

    Other digital initiatives to boost on-time childhood vaccination include the NSW Government’s new online tool, which allows parents to check which vaccines their child needs and when by entering their child’s name and birth date.

  • Pertussis cases hit a 35-year high - 9 February 2026

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    Pertussis rates are continuing to rise across all Australian state and territories as vaccination numbers fall to the lowest levels in 10 years, according to new data from the Productivity Commission. The latest Report on Government Services (RoGS) shows that in 2024-25 the proportion of children fully immunised under the National Immunisation Program was among the lowest since 2015-16.

    The Medical Republic

    Pertussis rates are continuing to rise across all Australian state and territories as vaccination numbers fall to the lowest levels in 10 years, according to new data from the Productivity Commission. The latest Report on Government Services (RoGS) shows that in 2024-25 the proportion of children fully immunised under the National Immunisation Program was among the lowest since 2015-16.

    The Medical Republic

  • Laboratory Confirmed Influenza Cases in Australia from 1 January 2026 to 9 February 2026

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    There have been 14,341 notifications of influenza reported to the NNDSS from 1 January 2026 to 9 February 2026.

    Data collected from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS).

    It is important to note that data reported from the various influenza surveillance systems may not represent an accurate reflection of influenza activity. There may be some delays in the reporting systems. Also, many who become unwell with influenza-like symptoms do not present to their doctor and are not tested for influenza.

    Results should be interpreted with caution.

    Click here for more statistics on COVID-19, RSV, Influenza, Meningococcal, and Pertussis in Australia.


    There have been 14,341 notifications of influenza reported to the NNDSS from 1 January 2026 to 9 February 2026.

    Data collected from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS).

    It is important to note that data reported from the various influenza surveillance systems may not represent an accurate reflection of influenza activity. There may be some delays in the reporting systems. Also, many who become unwell with influenza-like symptoms do not present to their doctor and are not tested for influenza.

    Results should be interpreted with caution.

    Click here for more statistics on COVID-19, RSV, Influenza, Meningococcal, and Pertussis in Australia.


  • Advisory Group Recommendations for Addressing Undervaccination in NIP-Eligible Populations

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    Despite strong national immunisation programs, Australia continues to experience persistent and, in some cases, worsening undervaccination across several vaccine-preventable diseases. To address this, the Immunisation Coalition has released a new report outlining practical, evidence-aligned recommendations to improve vaccine uptake among populations eligible under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

    The Advisory Group Recommendations for Addressing Undervaccination in NIP-Eligible Populations report focuses on four priority disease areas where coverage gaps remain: COVID-19, influenza, pneumococcal disease and pertussis. These diseases were selected due to declining vaccination rates, ongoing disease burden, and missed opportunities for prevention—particularly among older adults, young children, people with medical risk conditions, pregnant women and residents of aged care facilities.

    Developed through expert consensus, the report brings together insights from clinicians, public health specialists, pharmacists, nurses, researchers and industry representatives. Rather than revisiting why vaccination is important, the report concentrates on how to improve delivery, outlining clear, implementable actions that align with the National Immunisation Strategy 2025–2030.

    Key themes across the recommendations include:

    • Better use of data and the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) to identify and recall people who are due or overdue for vaccination
    • Strengthening vaccination delivery in primary care, aged care and community settings
    • Improving access through coordinated programs, funded immunisation coordinators and expanded provider roles
    • Providing tailored, fit-for-purpose education for patients, carers and healthcare professionals
    • Supporting scalable pilot programs that can be evaluated and expanded nationally

    The report is intended to support policymakers, healthcare providers and stakeholders by offering practical solutions that can be actioned now, helping to close coverage gaps and reduce avoidable illness, hospitalisation and death.

    Read the full report to explore the recommendations in detail and understand how targeted, system-level changes can strengthen Australia’s immunisation landscape.

    Despite strong national immunisation programs, Australia continues to experience persistent and, in some cases, worsening undervaccination across several vaccine-preventable diseases. To address this, the Immunisation Coalition has released a new report outlining practical, evidence-aligned recommendations to improve vaccine uptake among populations eligible under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

    The Advisory Group Recommendations for Addressing Undervaccination in NIP-Eligible Populations report focuses on four priority disease areas where coverage gaps remain: COVID-19, influenza, pneumococcal disease and pertussis. These diseases were selected due to declining vaccination rates, ongoing disease burden, and missed opportunities for prevention—particularly among older adults, young children, people with medical risk conditions, pregnant women and residents of aged care facilities.

    Developed through expert consensus, the report brings together insights from clinicians, public health specialists, pharmacists, nurses, researchers and industry representatives. Rather than revisiting why vaccination is important, the report concentrates on how to improve delivery, outlining clear, implementable actions that align with the National Immunisation Strategy 2025–2030.

    Key themes across the recommendations include:

    • Better use of data and the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) to identify and recall people who are due or overdue for vaccination
    • Strengthening vaccination delivery in primary care, aged care and community settings
    • Improving access through coordinated programs, funded immunisation coordinators and expanded provider roles
    • Providing tailored, fit-for-purpose education for patients, carers and healthcare professionals
    • Supporting scalable pilot programs that can be evaluated and expanded nationally

    The report is intended to support policymakers, healthcare providers and stakeholders by offering practical solutions that can be actioned now, helping to close coverage gaps and reduce avoidable illness, hospitalisation and death.

    Read the full report to explore the recommendations in detail and understand how targeted, system-level changes can strengthen Australia’s immunisation landscape.

  • Chief Medical Officer's updated Measles vaccination advice

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    The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation recently updated advice to recommend that infants aged six to 11 months receive an additional dose of a measles-containing vaccine when travelling overseas.

    Where an infant aged 6 to 11 months receives an MMR dose before travelling overseas, the dose needs to be repeated. This means that these infants need 2 further doses of measles-containing vaccine. They should receive the next dose of MMR vaccine at 12 months of age or 4 weeks after the 1st dose, whichever is later. They should receive their final dose of measles-containing vaccine as MMRV vaccine at 18 months of age as routinely recommended.

    It is not necessary to repeat an early dose if it was given at greater than 11 months but before 12 months of age.

    Outbreaks of measles continue in many countries. Australians travelling overseas may be at risk of infection with measles. This includes travelers to popular tourist destinations; for example, periodic outbreaks of measles continue to be reported in Indonesia, including Bali.

    Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd – Measles vaccination advice

    The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation recently updated advice to recommend that infants aged six to 11 months receive an additional dose of a measles-containing vaccine when travelling overseas.

    Where an infant aged 6 to 11 months receives an MMR dose before travelling overseas, the dose needs to be repeated. This means that these infants need 2 further doses of measles-containing vaccine. They should receive the next dose of MMR vaccine at 12 months of age or 4 weeks after the 1st dose, whichever is later. They should receive their final dose of measles-containing vaccine as MMRV vaccine at 18 months of age as routinely recommended.

    It is not necessary to repeat an early dose if it was given at greater than 11 months but before 12 months of age.

    Outbreaks of measles continue in many countries. Australians travelling overseas may be at risk of infection with measles. This includes travelers to popular tourist destinations; for example, periodic outbreaks of measles continue to be reported in Indonesia, including Bali.

    Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd – Measles vaccination advice

  • Utilising AIR10A Reports to Boost Childhood Immunisation Coverage

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    Australia’s childhood vaccination coverage has declined for the third consecutive year—a trend that poses significant risks to public health. Recent data from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing 2024–25 Annual Report shows that national vaccine coverage targets have not been met for:

    • Children at 5 years of age (≥95% target)
    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children between 12 and 15 months of age (≥95% target)
    • HPV vaccination of adolescents at 15 years of age (≥90% target by 2030)

    As frontline immunisation providers, you play a vital role in reversing this trend. One of the most effective tools available is the AIR10A Overdue Report, which helps practices:

    • Identify overdue children: The report lists patients who have missed scheduled immunisations, enabling timely follow-up with families.
    • Improve coverage rates: Regular use of AIR10A supports proactive recall and catch-up strategies, reducing the number of overdue children and strengthening community protection.

    For eLearning modules on how to request, modify, view and customise AIR reports please visit Australian Immunisation Register (AIR): AIR Reports

    By incorporating AIR10A checks into your routine workflow, you can help ensure children receive vaccinations on time and contribute to meeting national coverage targets.

    Together, we can make a measurable difference in protecting our communities.

    The PHN recommends that practices regularly use Overdue AIR reports to identify children who are overdue for immunisation. Once set up, these reports can become a seamless part of your existing workflows—saving time for your staff while strengthening the quality and continuity of care for your patients.

    Need help getting started?
    If you’d like more information about requesting AIR reports or assistance with related Quality Improvement activities, please contact our Practice Support team via E: Practicesupport@thephn.com.au or P: 1300 859 028 (option 1) we will be more than happy to provide additional information and support.

    Australia’s childhood vaccination coverage has declined for the third consecutive year—a trend that poses significant risks to public health. Recent data from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing 2024–25 Annual Report shows that national vaccine coverage targets have not been met for:

    • Children at 5 years of age (≥95% target)
    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children between 12 and 15 months of age (≥95% target)
    • HPV vaccination of adolescents at 15 years of age (≥90% target by 2030)

    As frontline immunisation providers, you play a vital role in reversing this trend. One of the most effective tools available is the AIR10A Overdue Report, which helps practices:

    • Identify overdue children: The report lists patients who have missed scheduled immunisations, enabling timely follow-up with families.
    • Improve coverage rates: Regular use of AIR10A supports proactive recall and catch-up strategies, reducing the number of overdue children and strengthening community protection.

    For eLearning modules on how to request, modify, view and customise AIR reports please visit Australian Immunisation Register (AIR): AIR Reports

    By incorporating AIR10A checks into your routine workflow, you can help ensure children receive vaccinations on time and contribute to meeting national coverage targets.

    Together, we can make a measurable difference in protecting our communities.

    The PHN recommends that practices regularly use Overdue AIR reports to identify children who are overdue for immunisation. Once set up, these reports can become a seamless part of your existing workflows—saving time for your staff while strengthening the quality and continuity of care for your patients.

    Need help getting started?
    If you’d like more information about requesting AIR reports or assistance with related Quality Improvement activities, please contact our Practice Support team via E: Practicesupport@thephn.com.au or P: 1300 859 028 (option 1) we will be more than happy to provide additional information and support.

Page last updated: 01 May 2026, 09:33 AM