NSW Health wish to inform pharmacist immunisers that the NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards (the Standards) have been updated with the following key changes in the respective sections of the Standards:
Section A: Approval vaccines and vaccination schedules
Section D: Administration area and equipment
Section E: Vaccine storage and transport
Section F: Patient consent, eligibility and records
Section G: Post vaccination care
The new free modules provide a baseline understanding of RSV, and safe storage, preparation, and administration of Beyfortus® (nirsevimab) to ensure adherence to best practice. It also covers how to deliver proactive, informed care that minimises the impact of RSV and supports families in making informed immunisation decisions.
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance has released an updated guide to support immunisation providers in identifying vaccines that can be co-administered for people aged 18 years and over.
Co-administration of vaccines for adults: a guide for immunisation providers – March 2025
Remind your patients to access their Q fever vaccination evidence (Q fever eStatement) prior to 30 June 2025 and take this to a recognised vaccination provider in Australia for these details to be reported to the AIR.
Since 15 April 2024, providers can report Q fever vaccines and natural immunity information to the AIT, and can no longer report Q fever vaccine information to the Q Fever Register.
Individuals with an existing record in the Australian Q Fever Register prior to 15 April 2024 will only be able to access their information, including their Q Fever eStatement, until 30 June 2025. After this date, individuals will no longer be able to access their information.
Individuals can access their Q Fever eStatement by either logging onto the Q Fever Register website and downloading a copy, or requesting a copy by contacting the Q Fever Register on 1300 733 837.
Since Q-VAX® is a one-off immunisation that must not be given a second time, nor given to anyone who has previously had Q fever, maintaining accurate records on the AIR means that important information is immediately available to you and your fellow health practitioners.
To ensure comprehensive records continue to be maintained for the one-off vaccine, every time Q-VAX® (Q fever vaccine) is administered to a patient, vaccination providers should report this, together with natural immunity information, directly to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
Order your NIP flu vaccines now
Ordering of NIP flu vaccines is now open via the State Vaccine Centre. Approximate delivery time from ordering is 2-3 business days in metropolitan areas. Consider how many vaccines your practice and/or pharmacy can feasibly administer each week, and aim to order 2 weeks’ worth of stock.
Please see the NSW Health 2025 Influenza Vaccination Provider Toolkit which has useful information for the roll-out influenza vaccination program in 2025.
Young and old urged to get flu vaccine
The NSW Government has launched its official winter vaccines campaign. International experience indicates the possibility of a higher than usual influenza activity season this year. Vaccination rates for vulnerable groups have been declining nationally as well as globally; in NSW, the influenza vaccine rate for six-month to five-year-olds has declined from 28.3 per cent in 2023 to 25 per cent in 2024, and for over 65s it was down from 62 per cent in 2023 to 60 per cent in 2024. The flu vaccine is free under the NIP for these as well as a range of other at-risk groups.
Update to NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards
The NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards have been updated to allow pharmacist immunisers to administer influenza vaccines to patients aged 2 years and over.
Refer to the NSW Immunisation webpage for advice on eligibility for State-funded and National Immunisation Program vaccines.
Comparative 2021-2025 flu immunisation data This infographic shows the number of influenza vaccinations reported to the AIR between 1 March and 20 April for each year from 2021-2025. Data is segmented to provide jurisdiction, age, provider type, and First Nations People-specific numbers.
Take our short survey to share your experiences on vaccine storage, so we can better understand your needs and improve the support available in your workplace.
CESPHN are seeking your feedback to better understand your experiences and challenges regarding vaccine storage management.
If you are a general practice nurse or a community pharmacist working within the CESPHN region, please complete our short survey to help us tailor better support and resources for your workplace.
By completing this survey, you will go into the running to win one of three $100 gift cards.
The first annual Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report is now available. This is the first national annual reporting of COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other acute respiratory infections in Australia, providing an overview of the distribution, severity and impact of acute respiratory illness activity in the community.
Applications close on 12 May, as a registered nurse in the CESPHN region, this is your last chance to apply for scholarship to attend one of the following four educational workshops.
1. Perform Venous Blood Collection workshop 3 June 2025 9:00am to 3:00pm
2. Ear Wax Removal (Irrigation) workshop 29 July 2025 8:45am to 4:00pm
3. Managing Wounds in Primary Healthcare workshop 12 August 2025 8:45am to 4:30pm
4. Perform Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation and Iron Infusion workshop 15 August 2025 9:00am to 3:30pm
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