Immunisation Weekly Update:

1. Shingrix® NIP eligibility expansion 
2. Shingrix vaccination data
3. New Handbook infographic for Pneumococcal  
4. Transition from QIV to TIV influenza vaccine 
5. Webinar: Pertussis Update 

Shingrix® NIP eligibility expansion 

From 1 September 2024, free shingles vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) will be expanded to include people at moderate to high risk of severe infection and complications from shingles.

See updated advice here. The NCIRS  Zoster (shingles) FAQs will be updated shortly. 

The herpes zoster vaccine, Shingrix® is available free to eligible individuals: 

• aged 65 years and over 
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over 
• adults aged 18 years and over who are at increased risk of herpes zoster due to an underlying condition and/or immunomodulatory/ immunosuppressive treatments. Details regarding those who are at increased risk of herpes zoster is available in the  Shingles vaccination – Program advice for health professionals (September 2024) Appendix A, page 3. 

Shingrix vaccination data

On 1 November 2023, single-dose Zostavax was replaced by 2-dose Shingrix on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccination schedule for shingles vaccination.  

The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) has released the latest Shingrix vaccination data in Australia. This data will be updated quarterly to report Shingrix vaccination rates. 

The report can be viewed on the NCIRS website. Tracking Shingrix vaccine doses from 2021 to 2024, including comparison with Zostavax.  Nearly 1 in 5 adults ≥65 years of age have received at least one Shingrix vaccine dose. Immunisation providers are reminded to recommend Shingrix vaccination to eligible patients. 

New Handbook infographic for Pneumococcal  

Pneumococcal vaccination recommendations for people who have previously received a pneumococcal vaccine infographic available in the Australian Immunisation Handbook provides updated pneumococcal vaccination recommendations. It outlines the recommendations for vaccinating: 

• non-indigenous adults aged 70 years and over without risk conditions for pneumococcal disease 
• all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 50 years and over 
• people aged 12 months and over with risk conditions for the disease 

Transition from QIV to TIV influenza vaccine 

ATAGI has released a statement on 29 Aug 2024 to announce that Australia will be transitioning from quadrivalent (QIV) to trivalent (TIV) seasonal influenza vaccines.  

Since WHO and the AIVC recommended that the B/Yamagata lineage component is no longer warranted in seasonal influenza vaccines, TIV formulations will replace QIV formulations during manufacturing.  

During the transition period, QIV may continue to be supplied for the NIP while TIV is being gradually reintroduced for use in Australia, both for private prescription and for the NIP. It is anticipated that TIV formulations may become available for private prescription from 2025, and transition to exclusive TIV use may be completed for the 2026 influenza season.  

Webinar: Pertussis Update 

Register for the upcoming Immunisation Coalition webinar on Pertussis on Tuesday, 17 September 2024 from 6.00pm to 7.00pm AEST. 

This webinar will provide viewers with an update regarding pertussis epidemiology and current trends in vaccination rates. 

Low pertussis booster rates in Australian adults impact the epidemiology of the disease. This webinar will explore what current literature indicates are the barriers and potential enablers to improving pertussis vaccination rates in Australia, and therefore reducing disease burden and complications.