Overseas travel and increased social activities over the school holidays can contribute to infectious diseases spreading.
Healthcare providers should check patients’ immunisation history to ensure they are adequately protected against the risk of infectious diseases:
NIP vaccines: Ensure patient is up to date with recommended vaccinations, especially those on the National Immunisation Program Schedule
Measles vaccines: There has been a surge in measles outbreaks overseas. Before travel, ensure patients have received 2 doses of a measles containing vaccine (MMR). Infants aged from 6 months can receive a dose of NSW-funded measles vaccine before travelling overseas.
Respiratory vaccines: Remind patients that respiratory diseases that may be circulating, including Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, COVID-19 and whooping cough.
JEV vaccines: Patients travelling to an area at risk for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection may be eligible for vaccination.
Pregnancy vaccines: Patients who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should keep to date with immunisation for pregnancy.
Overseas medication: Patients travelling overseas may need other vaccinations or medications. Refer to infectious disease risks overseas.
Australia has seen an increase in reported cases of measles amid ongoing measles outbreaks around the world.
Historically, Australia’s high childhood immunisation rates offered strong protection against measles, but rates have recently dropped below the targeted levels.
Measles vaccination is very effective – 2 doses of MMR vaccines provide 99% protection against infection by the virus.
Providers should encourage patients to thoroughly check vaccines received in the past 30 years, particularly before travelling to areas experiencing a measles outbreak.
People born before 1994 may find some data is limited on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) and may need to access historical records directly from providers.
There is a lot of information and misinformation about measles and the measles vaccination. Refer patients to reliable information about measles and vaccinations on CDC.gov.au or healthdirect websites.
Measles Quality Improvement (QI) activity
Conduct a Measles QI activity to recall patients who are not up to date with their measles vaccination. Book a QI session with a PHN support staff, or follow MMR QI guidelines.
On 2 April, NSW Health advised people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a confirmed case who was infectious while visiting several locations in the eastern suburbs of Sydney.
The source of the infection is unclear and is being further investigated.
People who were at the affected locations should watch for the development of 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 RSV vaccine is available for eligible pregnant women under the NIP and is recommended between 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.
The Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) website has been updated with webpages to support conversations between providers and pregnant women about RSV vaccination in pregnancy.
These webpages include information about RSV disease and vaccine for pregnant women and their partners, and vaccination recommendations during the third trimester.
COVID-19 vaccines are funded for all recommended and eligible individuals, including those without a Medicare card. It is mandatory to report all COVID-19 vaccinations to the Australian Immunisation Register.
The Australian Immunisation Handbook – COVID-19 chapter is expected to be updated soon.
With this year’s flu season underway and flu vaccines now available, AusVaxSafety has commenced its routine surveillance of influenza (flu) vaccines in use in Australia in 2025.
Flu vaccine safety data will be made available on the AusVaxSafety website from the week starting 14 April and will be updated weekly throughout the duration of the 2025 season.
AusVaxSafety has monitored the safety of flu vaccines administered to Australians of all ages since 2017, gathering details about any side effects experienced in the days after flu vaccination from more than 1 million people (or their parents/carers) over that period – including over 200,000 surveys completed in 2024.
Videos recording of NCIRS’ recent webinar on flu, RSV, COVID-19.
Videos of NCIRS’ recent webinar, ‘Triple protection: Vaccines for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV in 2025’, are now available on the NCIRS website.
Prominent immunisation experts gave timely information on the vaccines available under Australia’s National Immunisation Program to protect against influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 in 2025 at the event, the latest in our popular series of webinars for health professionals.
Highlights included expert insights into vaccine effectiveness, practical tips for administration, lessons from the US experience and, to end the webinar, a robust Q&A session.
More immunisation video recordings can be found on our Immunisation | Education webpage.
Eligibility criteria (expanded)
On 28 March, NSW Health sent a letter to GPs advising that the eligibility for the infant RSV immunisation has been expanded to include newborn infants born from 1 January 2025 (previously 17 March 2025) to receive nirsevimab.
Vulnerable infants born 1 October 2024 to 31 December 2024 will continue to be offered nirsevimab if they meet the criteria for the NSW Vulnerable Babies Program. Refer to NSW RSV Prevention Program – Eligibility summary.
Clinical recommendations
Flow charts have been developed to assist providers to determine if an infant is clinically recommended to receive Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab). This does NOT necessarily mean they meet the eligibility criteria for NSW-funded Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab).
For infants born from 1 January 2025, refer to Clinical decision aid for nirsevimab (Beyfortus™) in newborn infants. For infants born prior to 1 January 2025, refer to Clinical decision aid for nirsevimab (Beyfortus™) in infants and children up to 24 months of age who remain at risk of severe RSV disease.
Ordering nirsevimab
Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) can be ordered from the NSW Vaccine Centre using the updated nirsevimab special order form (up to 5 patients per order form). Providers must ensure that the infant meets NSW eligibility criteria for funded Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) before placing order.
Note that eligible infants are offered Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) prior to discharge from hospital, so there is expected to be a limited number of eligible infants presenting to GPs.
Non-eligible patients cannot access Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) through private prescription – pharmacies do not have access to this product.
Health Referral Forms
