Eligibility criteria
On 28 March, NSW Health sent a letter to GPs advising that the eligibility for the infant RSV immunisation has been expanded to include newborn infants born from 1 January 2025 (previously 17 March 2025) to receive nirsevimab. Vulnerable infants born 1 October 2024 to 31 December 2024 will continue to be offered nirsevimab if they meet the criteria for the NSW Vulnerable Babies Program. Refer to NSW RSV Prevention Program – Eligibility summary.
Clinical recommendations
Flow charts have been developed to assist providers to determine if an infant is clinically recommended to receive Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab). This does NOT necessarily mean they meet the eligibility criteria for NSW-funded Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab).
Ordering nirsevimab
Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) can be ordered from the NSW Vaccine Centre using the updated nirsevimab special order form (up to 5 patients per order form). Providers must ensure that the infant meets NSW eligibility criteria for funded Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) before placing order.
Note that eligible infants are offered Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) prior to discharge from hospital, so there is expected to be a limited number of eligible infants presenting to GPs.
Non-eligible patients cannot access Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) through private prescription – pharmacies do not have access to this product.
Pfizer advises that the shelf life of the below listed batches of ABRYSVO® is extended from 24 to 36 months, following the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval. The storage conditions remain unchanged and include the requirement to store ABRYSVO® in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C) prior to reconstitution. Refer to the table below for the updated expiry dates.
| Batch number | Expiry date on package | Updated expiry date |
| LL2636 | 31.07.2025 | 31.07.2026 |
| LR6779 | 30.06.2025 | 30.06.2026 |
| LR6778 | 31.05.2026 | 31.05.2027 |
For ABRYSVO® stock with batch numbers different to those listed above, the expiry date remains unchanged.
2025 COVID-19 recommendations
ATAGI advice regarding the administration of COVID-19 vaccines in 2025 is now available – summarised in the below table. For people who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine (a ‘primary course’), refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook for recommendations. COVID-19 vaccines remain funded for all recommended and eligible individuals, including those without a Medicare card.
| Age group | Recommendation |
| All adults aged ≥75 years | Recommended a COVID-19 vaccine every 6 months. |
| Adults aged 65–74 years | Recommended a COVID-19 vaccine every 12 months and are eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine every 6 months based on a benefit–risk assessment. |
| Adults aged 18-64 years with severe immunocompromise | Recommended a COVID-19 vaccine every 12 months and are eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine every 6 months based on a benefit–risk assessment. |
| All other healthy adults | Eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine every 12 months based on a benefit-risk assessment. |
| Children and adolescents aged 5 to18 years with severe immunocompromise | Eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine every 12 months, based on a benefit-risk assessment. |
National COVID-19 Vaccination Program registration
If your clinic is not currently providing COVID-19 vaccines, contact the Vaccine Operations Centre (VOC) directly to register your interest by email: COVID19VaccineOperationsCentre@Health.gov.au or call 1800 318 208.
GoShare COVID-19 recall program
GoShare invite you to REGISTER your practice to participate in a new QI Activity: COVID-19 vaccination recall program for adults aged 75 years and older.
The program uses GoShare to send a personalised SMS to patients aged 75 years and over who received their last COVID-19 vaccine over 6 months ago. The SMS template provided includes a link to information to help the patient understand why their age puts them at increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19 and a call to action to book an appointment at your practice.
To learn more about the program, please see Program Brief.
CESPHN have created a QI activity recording template to accompany the activity.
Growing concern
Immunisation leaders in Australia are urging healthcare providers to prioritise measles vaccination, as concern about the measles outbreaks continues to escalate around the world. NCIRS Director Professor Kristine Macartney said, in an appearance on ABC Radio, ‘This [disease] is not something that you or your child want to have.’
The comments came against a backdrop of ongoing increases in measles case numbers in our region and beyond – including large outbreaks in Yemen, Pakistan, Europe, Vietnam and elsewhere.
Local cases
In March, New South Wales health authorities issued six Measle alerts of confirmed cases returning from travel in South East Asia. Measles notifications in NSW residents data shows 17cases have been reported in 2025 to date, compared to 18 cases reported in the whole year of 2024.
Immunisation experts agree that an increase in measles vaccination coverage rates is needed to halt the recent rise in cases around the world, including in Australia. Coverage rates of around 92–94 per cent are needed to ensure herd immunity to measles and prevent the spread of the often severe, highly contagious disease.
Healthcare professionals in Australia are urged to raise awareness of the importance of on-time measles vaccination wherever possible.
Measles vaccine for infants
Measles vaccine is safe and effective, and all children aged 12 months and over are strongly recommended to receive 2 doses of measles vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age. Infants travelling to countries where measles is endemic or where outbreaks are occurring may receive a free MMR vaccine from 6 months of age but will still need another 2 doses starting at 12 months of age.
Measles vaccine for adults
Measles vaccine (MMR) is available free to people born during or since 1966 who have not had 2 doses of MMR vaccine:
MMR vaccine is available from GPs for all ages and pharmacies for people aged 5 years and over.
Measles Quality Improvement (QI) activity
Conduct a Measles QI activity to recall patients who are not up to date with their measles vaccination. Book a QI session with a PHN support staff, or follow MMR QI guidelines.
People aged 70+ and over are eligible for a free single dose of Prevenar 13 vaccine on the NIP. These people are also eligible for a free annual dose of Fluad Quad vaccine.
GoShare Pneumococcal recall program is back in 2025
General practices are encouraged to register for the GoShare 2025 Pneumococcal Vaccination Recall Program which allows a unique opportunity to send a free SMS recall to offer both the Fluad Quad and Prevenar 13 to eligible patient aged 70 years and over. These vaccines are safe to be co-administered.
Vaccines are recommended throughout an individual’s life to protect against vaccine-preventable diseases severity and complications. Increasingly more vaccines are becoming available and are recommended for use in adults. The co-administration of vaccines for adults: a guide for immunisation providers resource will assist immunisation providers to identify vaccines that can be co-administered in people aged 18 years and older.
The guide is available on the NCIRS website and should be used in conjunction with the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
The RSV Protection for Infants modules developed by Benchmarque Group provide participants with the skills and knowledge to work directly with families, parents and patients to increase understanding of RSV and the NIP. The modules are free to complete. These modules aim to give participants a baseline understanding of RSV information and an understanding of safe storage, preparation, and administration of Beyfortus® (nirsevimab), ensuring adherence to best practice
Using scenarios and communication frameworks, participants will learn how to engage with parents and caregivers, and use evidence-based insights to deliver proactive, informed care that minimises the impact of RSV and supports families in making informed immunisation decisions.
Health Referral Forms
