Immunisation Weekly Update:

1. Change of process to order nirsevimab 50mg
2. Order resources for childhood immunisation
3. AIR updated to support pneumococcal program changes
4. Education

Change of process to order nirsevimab 50mg

From 5 September, GPs will not be required to use the ‘nirsevimab order form’ on the NSW State Vaccine Centre (SVC) ordering portal when ordering nirsevimab 50mg.

GPs can now order a maximum of 2 doses of nirsevimab 50mg directly from the SVC ordering portal as part of their monthly routine vaccine order.

This change will enable GPs to provide nirsevimab opportunistically to eligible at-risk infants who miss their birth dose of nirsevimab prior to discharge from hospital. Review patient eligibility for nirsevimab on the NSW Health website.

Due to limited supply, GPs will need to continue to order nirsevimab 100mg through the Nirsevimab Order Form on the portal.

If you have any questions about the program including the nirsevimab ordering process, please contact Immunisation Unit, Health Protection NSW at MoH-VaccReport@nsw.health.gov.au.

Order resources for childhood immunisation

With the inclusion of Prevenar 20 to replace Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23 on the childhood schedule under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), it is a good time to order resources for your patients. These resources help parents and carers in remembering when the next vaccines are due, ensuring scheduled vaccines are administered on time.

Order resources to your practice via the following links:

• Childhood vaccinations consumer brochure
• NIP childhood schedule fridge magnet card
• Following vaccination – what to expect and what to do

A reminder to also direct parents and carers to the Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) webpage if they have further questions regarding scheduled vaccinations.

AIR updated to support pneumococcal program changes

The ‘due’ and ‘overdue’ rules for pneumococcal have been updated in the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) to support changes to the NIP.

Key updates:

• Prevenar 20 and Vaxneuvance will become standard vaccines in the AIR. This means that they will:
  • contribute to a child’s pneumococcal vaccination status
  • be considered equivalent with other pneumococcal vaccines in the AIR, such as Prevenar 13. If a child receives either vaccine brand, in any sequence, they will be considered ‘up to date’ for pneumococcal vaccinations under the AIR ‘due’ and ‘overdue’ rules.
• Providers can:
  • view when a child is due for a pneumococcal vaccine through the AIR site and in software
  • request ‘due’ and ‘overdue’ reports through the AIR site to help identify those who may require catch-up vaccinations.
• A child’s Immunisation History Statement (IHS) will continue to display when they are due for a pneumococcal vaccine.
• Reminder letters will be sent if a child’s vaccination status becomes ‘overdue’.

Changes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children:

• All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s vaccination status will display within the child’s record in the AIR as ‘due for the additional dose’ at 6 months of age.
• If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child does not receive the additional recommended 6-month dose, this will not:
  • change the child’s National Immunisation Program immunisation status in their IHS. That is, they will still display as ‘up to date’.
  • impact Family Assistance payments.

Source: NCIRS Weekly Jab newsletter 5 September 2025. Subscribe here: ncirs.org.au/user/register

Education