Immunisation Weekly Update:

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

SESLHD have extended the free childhood vaccination clinics into 2025 to support those who are Medicare ineligible or find it difficult to access a local GP. Bookings are recommended and can be made by calling 1300 244 288. Walk ins welcome.

For locations and dates please see the SESLHD childhood immunisation clinic flyer.

Please also see the 2025 calendar for all clinics and Aboriginal immunsiation clinic dates for Feb-May 2025.

Australian mothers and their newborn babies will have free access to protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in early 2025. 

  • Maternal RSV program: From 3 February 2025, Abrysvo® RSV vaccine will be free for women at 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy to protect their newborn from RSV under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
  • Infant RSV program: From 17 March 2025, NSW Health is funding nirsevimab (Beyfortus™), a monoclonal antibody, to infants not protected through maternal RSV vaccination or with risk factors for severe RSV disease.

For detailed information on the upcoming RSV programs, see last week’s Immunisation Update.

Register for the upcoming NCIRS webinar where an expert panel will provide further information about these newly funded RSV programs. 

On 24 January 2025, NSW Health advised people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a person who was infectious on an international flight into Sydney and a domestic flight to the Gold Coast.

People who were on the flights or transiting between the terminals at those times should be on the lookout for symptoms.

Immunisation providers are encouraged to offer free MMR vaccine to patients who have not yet had 2 doses of MMR vaccine. MMR vaccines are available free to people born during or since 1966 who have not had 2 doses of MMR, funded by NSW Health.

The upcoming release of Bp Premier Spectra SP1 includes a mandatory update for users to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Practices must upgrade to Spectra SP1 by 1 March 2025 to remain compliant with the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) reporting requirements.

The AIR is introducing mandatory changes to simplify the Vaccine Type field. Effective from 1 March 2025, there will only be two options available: Antenatal, NIP/Commonwealth, or Other. Options for ‘Private’ and ‘State Program’ will be removed – selecting either option after this date will result in an error.

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Immunisation clinical audits are activities that systematically review aspects of a GP’s clinical performance against defined best-practice guidelines in the Australian Immunisation Handbook. These RACGP approved CPD activities take approximately 5 hours to complete:

REGISTER 6 February 2025 12:00pm – 1:30pmNCIRS webinar: RSV immunisation update – new funded programs for infant protection This NCIRS webinar will explore RSV disease and prevention and expand on the new funded RSV programs. The expert panel will present on the new NIP-funded RSV vaccination program for pregnant women to protect their infants and complementary state funded RSV monoclonal antibody programs for infants.
REGISTER 9 – 10 February 2025 Start: 9 Feb 5:15pm Finish: 10 Feb 5:00pmImmunisation Coalition: The 26th Annual Scientific Meeting This event is expected to hold significant importance for the scientific and medical community, government health officials, academics, and various health-related non-government organisations.
REGISTER 18 February 2025 7:00pm – 8:30pmNSW Health webinar: NSW influenza vaccination update 2025 Annual NSW Influenza vaccination program webinar to provide information on the NSW 2025 program. Topics include factors contributing to varying influenza impact in NSW in recent years – the impact and outcomes of the 2024 influenza vaccine program, including low uptake in children under 5 years of age – the 2025 influenza vaccines and their use in eligible age groups – strategies to increase uptake in at-risk groups, especially children aged 6 months to under 5 years, pregnant women and Aboriginal people   – how to optimise your vaccine supplies and maximise uptake of influenza vaccine using the Influenza Vaccination Provider Tool Kit. 
REGISTER 6 March 2025 7:00pm – 8:30pmMastering Cold Chain Management: Strive for 5 Guidelines and NIP Vaccinations for Pharmacists
This session is specifically for pharmacist immunisers and will cover the importance of cold chain management, ensuring your pharmacy is meeting ‘Strive for 5’ guidelines, and best practices for storing and handling NIP vaccines. Learn about current tools and technologies for monitoring cold chain, ensuring patient safety, and maintaining compliance with regulations. Enhance your skills to improve vaccine storage practices in your pharmacy.
REGISTER 11 March 2025 7:00pm – 8:30pmCESPHN Annual Immunisation Update 2025 CESPHN’s annual immunisation update will cover the latest clinical recommendations on RSV, influenza and COVID-19 vaccines for 2025, as well as recommendations for vaccines not included on the NIP. The presentation will also cover vaccination for at-risk population groups including children who are unwell, pregnant women, and patients with additional needs.