Immunise Australia Program

The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) - School Entry Vaccination Requirements: Summary of the Evidence, provides a summary of school entry immunisation requirements currently in place in Australia and summarises the published evidence on the impact of school entry requirements on coverage rates and disease incidence both in Australia and overseas.

Myths and Realities is a resource for immunisation providers to help answer patients’ questions and concerns about immunisation.

This new edition of Myths and Realities has been prepared by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS).

Hard copies will be distributed to all immunisation providers from June 2013.

From 1 July 2013, a combination measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (MMRV) vaccine for children aged 18 months will be added to the National Immunisation Program. The MMRV vaccine replaces the separate measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine currently given to 4 year olds, and the varicella vaccine (for chickenpox) currently given to 18 month olds.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has completed its revision of the 9th edition of the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

The 10th edition of the Handbook was approved by the NHMRC CEO on 25 January 2013, under Section 14A of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992. In approving these guidelines the NHMRC considers that they meet the NHMRC standard for clinical practice guidelines.

The Handbook is currently being distributed to all immunisation providers. An online version of the 10th edition of the Handbook 2013.

The 2013 seasonal influenza vaccine will contain: · A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus, 15µg haemagglutinin (HA) per 0.5 mL dose · A (H3N2): an A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus, 15 µg HA per 0.5 mL dose · B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus, 15 µg HA per 0.5 mL dose

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) strongly recommends annual vaccination because immunity to influenza wanes overtime.

More information on influenza

The national school-based HPV Vaccination Program, provided through the National Immunisation Program, has been extended to include males. From February 2013, males aged 12-13 years will receive the HPV vaccine at school on an ongoing basis. Males aged 14-15 years will also receive the vaccine as part of a catch-up program until the end of the 2014 school year. Females ages 12-13 years will continue to receive the vaccine at school.

More information on HPV

The Australian Academy of Science has produced ‘The Science of Immunisation: Questions and Answers’ to explain to the general public the scientific basis of immunisation and address common misconceptions. This easy to understand booklet will reassure people of the safety and effectiveness of immunising themselves and their family.