Immunisation Weekly Update:

1. NEW National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’ fourth edition released
2. Updated ‘Recommended sites for childhood vaccination’ resource
3. Updated NSW childhood immunisation schedule resource with pictures
4. COVID-19 vaccines well tolerated when co-administered
5. Updated NCIRS resource: History of immunisation in Australia
6. Education

NEW National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’ fourth edition released

The fourth edition of the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5‘ has been released by the Australian Government, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

This resource collection provides up to date information about safe vaccine storage and key recommendations for effective vaccine storage management, including new supporting resources for immunisation providers.

The guidelines, posters, stickers and appendices can be viewed and downloaded from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

Updated ‘Recommended sites for childhood vaccination’ resource

Recommended sites for childhood vaccination poster, developed by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS), has been updated to include the latest pneumococcal program changes for children.

This A3 resource illustrates the recommended sites and routes of administration for vaccines recommended and funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) as well as vaccines funded by certain state and territories. It also includes a checklist for preparing for vaccination, needle size recommendations and additional clinical advice.

Updated NSW childhood immunisation schedule resource with pictures

To accompany the NSW Immunisation Schedule updates released on 1 September 2025, NSW Health has released an updated version of the NSW Childhood Immunisation Schedule Primary and Community Health with pictures of the vaccines to reflect the recent schedule updates. The resource is a handy visual reference for the NIP-funded childhood vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccines well tolerated when co-administered

New findings from AusVaxSafety confirm that COVID-19 vaccines currently in use in Australia – Pfizer JN.1 and XBB.1.5 – are well tolerated when administered alongside other vaccines.

Data from more than 57,000 concomitant COVID-19 vaccine encounters found COVID-19 vaccines were most often administered alongside seasonal influenza vaccines. There was little difference in the adverse event profile, medical attendance or impact on routine activities compared to when COVID-19 vaccines were given on their own.

This means that if individuals are due other vaccines at the same time as their COVID-19 vaccine, the vaccines can be co-administered, avoiding the need for multiple appointments.

Source: NCIRS Weekly Jab newsletter 26 September 2025. Subscribe here: ncirs.org.au/user/register

Updated NCIRS resource: History of immunisation in Australia

NCIRS has recently updated the vaccine history pages for COVID-19, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal, pneumococcal and respiratory syncytial virus.

The immunisation history tables provide a summary of the significant events in vaccination practice in Australia, particularly for vaccines used in population-based immunisation programs. The information has been obtained from a wide range of historical sources, including the Australian Immunisation Handbook; vaccine preventable diseases and vaccination coverage reports; and state, territory and federal government health department information. 

Education