NIP Resources

2024 NIP updates

SEPTEMBER 2024: Free shingles vaccination under the NIP will be expanded to include people at moderate to high risk of severe infection and complications from shingles.

JULY 2024: There are key changes to the meningococcal ACWY vaccines under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

2023 NIP updates

Download the updated NSW Immunisation Schedule – Jul 2024.

NIP Eligibility

Access to free National Immunisation Program vaccines requires a person to hold or be eligible for a Medicare card.

NIP Scheduled vaccines 

• NSW Immunisation Schedule updated July 2024 – order form
• NSW Childhood Vaccine poster updated October  2023– order form
• Following vaccination tear off pad – order from DOH website
• Recommended sites for childhood vaccination resource – Updated June 2024, available for download

NIP Catch-up vaccines

• Free catch-up immunisations are available under the NIP for people who did not receive them at the scheduled age, as well as for refugees and humanitarian entrants.

NSW state funded vaccines

There are Additional vaccines provided free in NSW for patients who meet specific eligibility criteria for Hepatitis B​, MMR​, and Rabies vaccine.

The NSW RSV Vulnerable Babies Program funds nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody against RSV disease, for eligible infants. International supply is limited and Beyfortus® (nirsevimab) is not currently available beyond state-based programs. See ATAGI statement.

Clinician information: RSV Program: Clinician Guide, NCIRS: fact sheet
Information on RSV: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Patient information: Beyfortus™ info for parents and carers; Beyfortus™ info for parents and carers of Aboriginal babies

NCIRS immunisation schedules

Did you know that not all recommended vaccines are funded under the NIP?

The NCIRS immunisation schedules include recommendations for funded and non-funded vaccines in accordance with the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

• Recommendations for Non-Indigenous Australians – updated July 2020
• Recommendations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in NSW – updated July 2020
• Recommendations for people with risk factors – updated July 2023

Australian Immunisation Handbook recommendations 

The Handbook provides guidance about  Vaccination for special risk groups.

The Handbook also have infographics that summarise immunisation needs based on Health, Age, Lifestyle, Occupation:

• Vaccination for people who care for others – People working in heath care, aged care and child care
• Vaccination for healthy ageing – Adults over 50 years old
• Vaccination for people working with animals – People working in the zoo, vet, wildlife or agriculture industry; and bat handlers.
• Vaccination for people at occupational risk – Laboratory personnel, emergency workers, plumbers, tattooist, body piercers, embalmers, funeral workers
• Vaccination for migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum
• Vaccination for women who are planning pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding 

NSW Health Immunisation Programs

• Information for immunisation providers in NSW is available on the NSW Health website.
• NSW Health have developed an Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices to support general practices to implement the NSW Immunisation Program.
• There are Additional vaccines provided free in NSW for patients who meet specific eligibility criteria for Hepatitis B​, MMR​, and Rabies vaccine.

NSW Immunisation Specialist Service

• About: the NSW Immunisation Specialist Service (NSWISS) provides clinical advice and support to immunisation providers, including immunisation needs for patients with complex of unusual backgrounds or who have had an adverse event following immunisation.
• Contact: email clinical questions to NSWISS at SCHN-NSWISS@health.nsw.gov.au. Responses will be provided within 1 business day via email or phone call.
• The NSWISS email inbox will be monitored Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

Order immunisation publications

Providers can order printed copies of a NSW Health publications using order forms:

• NSW Immunisation Resource Order Form
• Influenza Publications Order Form: (English and translated)
• General Publications Order Form: (English and translated)

Australian Immunisation Handbook

• Digital Handbook (for computer, mobile app version also available)
• Pre-vaccination checklist
• Catch-up Calculator (for <10 years)

Vaccine Co-administration

• Co-administration of vaccines for adults: NCIRS guide for immunisation providers

Vaxelis

• NCIRS Vaxelis factsheet
• NCIRS Vaxelis FAQs

Zoster vaccine

• Clinical use of Zoster vaccine in older adults in Australia – ATAGI October 2021
• Zostavax screening for contraindications – Australian Immunisation Handbook
• Zostavax Screening form – NSW Health

HPV vaccine

• HPV vaccine Changes to the NIP – DOH March 2023
• Gardasil-9 in the school-based NIP – ATAGI January 2022

Pneumococcal vaccine

• PneumoSmart Vaccination Tool – Immunisation Coalition Nov 2020
• National Immunisation Program factsheet:
  • NEW: Pneumococcal vaccination recommendations for people who have previously received a pneumococcal vaccine
  • Clinical advice for providers
  • Clinical decision tree for providers
• Australian Immunisation Handbook infographic:
  • Pneumococcal vaccination for <5 years
  • Pneumococcal vaccination for all Australians
  • Pneumococcal vaccination for people with risk conditions

Meningococcal

• Australian Prescriber 2019
  • Meningococcal vaccination by age and risk group
• Australian Immunisation Handbook infographic |
  • Meningococcal vaccination for people in a special risk group
  • Meningococcal vaccination for children and adolescents without risk factors

Measles

• Catch-up guide: Measles vaccination – NCIRS

Other vaccine information sheets

• Keeping up with vaccinations – What’s new, what’s available and who to ask for help (peer reviewed)
• Fact sheets and FAQs (NCIRS) on various diseases and vaccines such as HIB, Influenza, HPV, Meningococcal, Zoster, resources for adressing patient/parent concerns about immunisation and more
• Measles vaccines for Australians (NCIRS)
• Rabies Vaccination and Post Exposure Protocol
• HPV fact sheet (NCIRS)
• HPV FAQs (NCIRS)
• Approach to influenza vaccination in patients with a history of Guillain–Barre Syndrome – AusVaxSafety
• Practical guide: Immunisation for individuals with additional needs – NCIRS May 2023
• Practical leaflet: Multiple vaccinations for children – NCIRS
• Guideline: Following up overdue children – CESPHN Sept 2022
• Poster: Recommended sites for childhood vaccination –  June 2024

Free catch-up vaccines

Some catch-up vaccines are available free under the NIP for people who did not receive them as children.

Planning a catch-up schedule

If a person has not received all the NIP Schedule vaccines appropriate for their age, plan and document a catch-up schedule.

Use these resources to help plan a catch-up schedule.

Catch-up for people ≥10 years of age:

• Table: Doses needed and minimum intervals
• Flowchart: Measles catch-up guide – NCIRS
• Table: HepB vaccine for adolescents and adults

Catch-up for children < 10 years of age:

• Catch-up Calculator (aged <10 years only)
• Table: Minimum age for 1st dose
• Table: Number of required doses by age
• Table: Minimum acceptable dose intervals
• Table: Hib vaccine catch-up (for <5 years only)
• Table: PCV vaccine for at-risk children (for < 5 years)
• Table: PCV vaccine for children (aged < 5 years)
• Table: Rotarix age limit (for < 25 weeks)

General catch-up guidelines

• Catch-up vaccination – Australian Immunisation Handbook
• Catch-up Vaccination for special risk group
• Catch-up immunisations – Department of Health

Overseas vaccination

• AIR support on Overseas Immunisations
• AIR tip – How to record vaccinations administered to children overseas on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
• WHO – Overseas immunisation schedules
• Foreign Language Terms – aids to translating foreign immunisation records
• Service NSW document translation service
• Free Translating Service – The Australian Government has created a free service to assist in the translating of personal documents. This service allows holders of certain types of visas to get key personal documents (such as immunisation history statements and other important medical information) translated for free.

Important Guides

User guides for the NSW Vaccine Centre are as follows:

• NSW Vaccine Centre login
• NSW Vaccine Centre General user guide for providers (Dec 2020)
• How to order vaccine online
• How to receive a vaccine delivery
• NSW Vaccine centre phone: 1300 656 132

How to order NIP vaccines: Registering for a Vaccine Account Number (VAN)

This toolkit guides you through the steps to apply for and receive a VAN, enabling you to order and administer NIP vaccines.

Complete the New Vaccine Ordering Account form – for GPs, RACFs, and pharmacists.

If you require assistance with this form, contact Public Health Unit on:

• Phone: 1300 066 055
• Email South Eastern Sydney PHU: SESLHD-PublicHealthUnit-IMMTeam@health.nsw.gov.au
• Email Sydney PHU: SLHD-Immunisation@health.nsw.gov.au

Unsure which PHU to contact? Check your practice postcode 

VAN application process:

• Providers can access the VAN application form on the SVC website and submit all required information by completing the form to register for a VAN account (the link to the application form is available on the NSW Health webpage);
• VAN applicants will receive an acknowledgment email to advise their VAN application has been sent to the local public health unit (PHU);
• A notification will be sent to the PHU with a link to review the application;
• Providers will be contacted by their local PHU and be asked to provide relevant documentation (e.g. NSW Health Vaccine Storage and Cold Chain Management training certificates, Minimum/ Maximum temperature charts, data logging etc);
• PHUs will review the application, attach relevant documents and approve the application online;
• Once the application is approved, providers will receive vaccine account login details;
• Providers can log into their vaccine account to order vaccines from the SVC.

Update VAN details

To update/amend any VAN details including new practice name, delivery address, principal GP, phone/fax number:

1. Login to NSW Vaccine Centre
2. Go to Amend Delivery Address and AHPRA (see page 5)

Alternatively, practices in SESLHD can complete the Account Change Form 

Forms

• Vaccine Account Number (VAN) – new VAN application form
• Account Change Form – update VAN details form

NSW Health – communications

• Changes to NSW vaccine centre webpage – Dec 2020

Role of the Public Health Unit (PHU)

PHUs oversee immunisation programs in their local area and provide general immunisation advice and support to providers in relation to the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

The PHU should be contacted for the following:

• Reporting a cold chain breach related to NIP and State funded vaccines (required);
• Reporting adverse event following immunisation (AEFI), AEFIs are notifiable conditions under the Public Health Act;
• Seeking general vaccination advice, e.g. revaccination, vaccination catch-ups and vaccine eligibility;
• Seeking advice on NSW immunisation programs;
• Seeking advice on ordering and receiving the NIP or state funded vaccines (Note: a stop will be placed on your SVC account following reporting of a cold chain breach or change of your account details. Please contact your local PHU.).

You can contact your local public health unit on 1300 066 055 or visit the NSW Health webpage for contact details of PHUs in NSW

NSW Cold Chain Audits

NIP vaccination providers may be contacted by the Public Health Unit (PHU) to participate in cold chain reviews to support compliance with cold chain requirements.

The review involves a short self-completed audit tool that reviews compliance with the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’. The PHU sends a one page self-audit tool to randomly selected providers, the provider is then requested to complete the tool and return it to the PHU with additional supporting information within 14 days of receiving it. The purpose of the audit tool is to enable providers to review their own cold chain processes and to subsequently work with the PHU/PHN to rectify any identified gaps, if required.  The ‘Strive for 5’ vaccine storage self-audit is also available to assist providers and should be completed every 12 months.

Additional information on cold chain management is available on our Cold Chain Management page and NSW Health Cold Chain management webpage.

Providers can order printed copies of a NSW Health publications using order forms.

** indicates that translated resource is available

• RSV in children – Poster
• Testing for respiratory viruses in children – Poster
• Protect your family from influenza – A5 Flyer
• Protecting you and your baby from influenza (flu) – Brochure
• Keep your mob strong this winter – Poster
• Protect your child this winter – Poster
• Protect yourself and your loved ones this winter – Poster

NSW Immunisation Resource Order Form:

• Immunisation brochures (images)
• NSW Immunisation Schedule (Oct 2023)
• NSW Childhood Vaccine poster (Oct 2023)
• Vaccine fridge – Basket stickers
• Cold chain breach labels

Influenza Publications Order Form:

• Influenza posters for kids and general community **
• Influenza brochures for pregnancy **
• Influenza brochures for medically at risk **
• Influenza brochure for RACF staff **

General Publications Order Form:

• My First Baby Book
• Adult Vaccination Record Card for Health Care Workers/Students
• Adult-Adolescent Vaccination Card
• Influenza brochure for pregnancy **

Aboriginal Publications

• Influenza:
  • Flu can be serious for your bub (A3 Poster)
  • Protect your Mob from Flu (A3 Poster)
• Pregnancy:
  • Important Vaccines for Pregnancy – Aboriginal
• General publications
  • The Spread of Flu is up to you- Aboriginal- A3 Poster
  • WHATS YOUR INFLUENCE- ABORIGINAL- A3 Poster
  • COUGHS AND SNEEZES SPREAD DISEASES- ABORIGINAL- A3 Poster

Printed translated resources

Order printed copies translated resources from NSW Health:

• Influenza Publications Order Form:
  • Influenza posters for kids and general community
    Translated to Arabic, Bengali, Korean, Mandarin, Nepali, Vietnamese
  • Influenza brochures for pregnancy
    Translated to Greek, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese
  • Influenza brochures for medically at risk
    Translated to Arabic, Hindi, Greek, Italian, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese
  • Influenza brochure for RACF staff
    Translated to Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Filipino, Nepali, Polish, Vietnamese
• General Publications Order Form:
  • Influenza brochure for pregnancy
    Translated to Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Korean, Tamil, Turkish, Vietnamese

Digital translated resources

Childhood vaccinations FAQ

This information sheet has answers to the most frequently asked questions about childhood vaccinations.

Translated to Arabic, Assyrian, Chinese, Karen, Khmer, Korean, Hazaragi, Thai, Vietnamese.

Childhood vaccinations – Consumer brochure

This brochure provides information about the recommended vaccines available free for children under the National Immunisation Program.

Translated to Arabic, Assyrian, Chinese, Karen, Khmer, Korean, Hazaragi, Thai, Vietnamese.

Shingles resources

Shield yourself from shingles resource collection

• Podcast: Shingles advice for health professionals

Factsheets

• Shield yourself from shingles – People 65 and over
• Shield yourself from shingles – First Nations

First Nations people aged 50 and over

• Brochure 1, Brochure 2, Brochure 3, Brochure 4
• Poster 1, Poster 2, Poster 3, Poster 4

Shield yourself from shingles: People aged 65 and over

• Brochure 5, Brochure 6, Brochure 7, and Brochure 8
• Poster 5, Poster 6, Poster 7, and Poster 8

Matter of Vax podcast and video resources

The Immunisation Foundation of Australia has released the latest season of its vaccination-focused series Matter of Vax, a bite-sized podcast and video series.

Video resources: Childhood immunisation

Browse the Department of Health’s ‘One more way you keep them safe‘ video resource collection:

• Schedule and tips: Learn more about the schedule and tips for childhood immunisation.
• Videos for expectant parents: Expectant parents can learn about the safety of vaccines, how they for work for pregnancies and newborns, immunisation tips and more.
• Case study videos: Hear from other parents about their experiences with routine childhood immunisations.