Immunisation Weekly Update:

Welcome to our weekly Immunisation Update! In this week’s update, read about:

• Power outage preparedness: Are you ready for summer?
• Capvaxive stock available
• Video explainers: Measles and Pneumococcal vaccines
• CESPHN Immunisation Without Borders: Measles resurgence, travel health and safeguarding Australia webinar
• Order NIP schedule – updated October 2026

Power outage preparedness: Are you ready for summer?

With summer approaching, now is a timely reminder to review your power-outage procedures and ensure your practice is prepared for extreme weather events and unexpected power outages. Storms, heatwaves and other severe weather events can disrupt electricity supply with little warning.

Is your practice prepared?

Ensure your practice has a back-up plan in place and staff are trained to manage power failures to prevent vaccine wastage and salvage NIP Vaccines. Ensure you have:

• A cooler, ice bricks and bubble wrap, or an alternative purpose built vaccine refrigerator to store vaccines. See National Vaccine Storage Guidelines – Strive for 5, 3rd edition, how to pack a cooler and temperature monitoring chart for esky/cooler for further information.
• A portable min/max digital thermometer.

If a power outage occurs:

• Refer to the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’, Appendix 7 – Checklist for Managing a Power Failure for a checklist of what to do in the event of a power or refrigerator failure.
• Do not transfer vaccines to another unmonitored vaccine refrigerator or cooler. Any alternative vaccine storage must be equipped with a minimum/maximum thermometer and/or data logger to monitor temperatures.
• Do not transfer vaccines to a domestic refrigerator, including bar fridges.
• Contact your local Public Health Unit (PHU) on 1300 066 055 if a power outage has affected vaccine storage or you require support.
• If a cold chain breach occurs, you must report government funded vaccines to the PHU, isolate vaccines, and place a ‘DO NOT USE’ sign on the fridge. See Cold chain breach protocol for further information.

Capvaxive stock available

Capvaxive adult pneumococcal vaccine is now available to order from the State Vaccine Centre. For clinical recommendations and information on NIP eligibility, refer to the Program advice for health professionals.

Ensure appointments for eligible patients are only booked when you have sufficient vaccine available in your fridges.

Discontinued stock

Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23 should no longer be used.  Any stocks of these vaccines held in provider fridges should be discardedand reported in the State Vaccine Centre system as an ‘expired vaccine’ with ‘30 June 2026’ as the expiry date.

Video explainers: Measles and Pneumococcal vaccines

Our pharmacist video explainer series delivers short, practical immunisation education – tailored for busy pharmacists. These bite-sized videos will help build confidence when vaccinating in the pharmacy.

Episode 4: Measles vaccines

This Measles – video explainer highlights why many adults are not fully protected against measles and how pharmacists can help close this immunity gap.

It also covers clinical considerations for live vaccine administration and outlines available funding options for Priorix® and Priorix Tetra®, including State-funded and NIP catch-up programs.

Episode 3: Pneumococcal vaccines

This Pneumococcal – video explainer unpacks the recent changes to the adult pneumococcal recommendations.

Learn about Capvaxive®, how to navigate the transition from the previous schedule, and practical strategies to avoid common vaccination errors.

CESPHN Immunisation Without Borders: Measles resurgence, travel health and safeguarding Australia webinar

Join CESPHN for a practical online education session exploring the impact of global measles outbreaks, declining vaccination coverage, and international travel on Australia’s public health landscape.

Date: Thursday 22 October 2026

Time: 7:00—8:00pm AEST

Location: Online via Zoom (register now)

Expert presenters, Dr Anthea Katelaris and Dr Sarah McGuinness, will discuss the growing risk of measles globally and in Australia, the role of immunisation providers in protecting communities against measles, and guidance on travel health assessments, vaccine recommendations and support for travellers.

Order NIP schedule – updated October 2026

The NSW Immunisation Schedule was updated on 1 October 2026 to include COVID-19 vaccines for eligible adults.

Order a copy of the updated schedule by completing the Immunisation – Resource order form.

Education