Immunise Australia Program
The Immunise Australia Program aims to increase national immunisation rates by funding free vaccination programs, administering the Australian Childhood Immunisation register and communicating information about immunisation to the general public and health professionals.
Latest news
Seasonal influenza vaccination program |
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The 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine contains the same influenza strains used in the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Although the influenza strains are unchanged, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends annual vaccination is recommended because immunity to influenza wanes overtime. |
ATAGI’s clinical advice for immunisation providers regarding the administration of 2012 trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines (March 2012) |
Safety of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines
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The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have endorsed a report of a review, conducted by an ATAGI/TGA ad-hoc working group, of the safety of seasonal influenza vaccines in adults and children older than 10 years of age. The report concludes that while there is a modestly higher risk of minor adverse events following the use of Fluvax®, the absolute rate of adverse events for adolescents and adults is within an acceptable range. |
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Pneumococcal information |
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The TGA and ATAGI, including the Pneumococcal Working Party, have each completed reviews on the previously reported increase in adverse event notifications following revaccination of adults with Pneumovax 23® The outcome of this investigation has led to the formulation of new advice on the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of Pneumovax 23® and its place within the National Immunisation Program. ATAGI recommends that revaccination with Pneumovax 23® should only be considered for patients at high risk of serious disease. For further information see Pneumococcal immunisation for older Australians |
TGA - Pneumovax 23® - updated revaccination recommendations |
Changes to National Immunisation Schedule and Related Payments |
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Eligibilty for the Family Tax Benefit Part A supplement will require that children are assessed as fully immunised, replacing the Maternity Immunisation Allowance from 1 July 2012. A new immunisation check will be introduced for one year olds to supplement the existing focus on immunisation at two and five years of age from 1 July 2012. The meningococcal C, pneumococcal and varicella (‘chickenpox’) vaccines will be included in the list of immunisations that are needed for a child to be assessed as fully immunised from 1 July 2013. A combination vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (‘chickenpox’) for children aged 18 months will be added to the National Immunisation Program Schedule from 1 July 2013. |
Strengthening Immunisation for Children Fact Sheet Definition of ‘fully immunised’ for the Family Tax Benefit Part A Supplement For further information about the changes to payments to families see www.fahcsia.gov.au Information for customers about changes to the Family Tax Benefit Part A and the Maternity Immunisation Allowance can be found at www.humanservices.gov.au |
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Information |
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The Government has announced a new campaign to advise parents and healthcare providers on how to identify, protect and prevent babies from whooping cough. Parents of newborns will receive the latest advice on what they can do to protect their babies from whooping cough (pertussis) in the new public health campaign. |
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Pneumococcal information |
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From 1 October 2011 until 30 September 2012 children who are aged between 12 months and 35 months and have completed a primary pneumococcal vaccination course with Prevenar® are eligible to receive a free supplementary dose of Prevenar 13® The TGA is advising health professionals not to administer a second dose of Pneumovax23® vaccine pending the outcome of a review of an apparent increased rate of injection site reactions following administration of the second dose. |
Program providing a supplementary dose of Prevenar 13® |
Important information regarding adverse events following immunisation |
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As with all medicines, vaccines can cause adverse events in some people but serious reactions to immunisation are rare. Following the suspension of Fluvax for children in 2010, Professor John Horvath AO has reviewed our system for reporting adverse events following immunisation. This Review is now available for viewing. |
Review of the management of adverse events associated with Panvax and Fluvax |
Latest Rotavirus Information |
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There is evidence regarding the rotavirus vaccines used in Australia, Rotarix® and RotaTeq®, and a small risk of increased intussusception. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation and the Therapeutic Goods Administration have reviewed the evidence and recommend that both vaccines continue to be used in Australia. More information for immunisation providers on rotavirus immunisation and intussusception |
What is Rotavirus? |
National Immunisation Program Schedule |
Publications & Resources |
The current National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule started on 1 July 2007 and outlines the recommended and fully funded vaccine plan by age group. |
The Immunise Australia Program produces a variety of publications and resources about immunisation and vaccination. |
Australian Immunisation Handbook |
Useful Links |
The Australian Immunisation Handbook provides clinical guidelines for health professionals on the safest and most effective use of vaccines in their practice. Order a hard-copy of the Handbook from Publications & Resources. | This page contains links and contact information for a number of agencies, organisations and groups related to immunisation and vaccination. |
Page last modified: 28 March, 2012