Immunisation weekly update – 29 February 2023

2023 Influenza Vaccination Information

From April 2023, free influenza vaccines will be available to eligible people under the National Immunisation Program.

Information regarding the 2023 influenza vaccination program is available to assist providers with the management, roll-out and implementation of flu vaccine clinics.

Key Actions Checklist:

• Today: Influenza Vaccination Provider Toolkit – Download and review information
• 6 March: Confirm pre-allocation flu vaccine order – Review and confirm vaccine pre-order on the NSW Vaccine Centre portal
• Mid-April: Receive delivery of flu vaccine pre-allocation order – Acknowledge receipt of delivery on the NSW Vaccine Centre portal

Important Information:

• ATAGI Advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2023
• NSW Health Seasonal Influenza Vaccination 2023 information sheets:
  • General Practitioners and AMS – Seasonal Influenza Vaccination 2023
  • Community Pharmacy – Seasonal Influenza Vaccination 2023
• NSW Health 2023 seasonal influenza vaccination website
• Department of Health 2023 Influenza vaccination – Program advice for vaccination providers
• Department of Health Getting vaccinated against influenza – Resource collection
• SKAI Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation – communication tools

Eligibility for free influenza vaccine

Free seasonal influenza vaccine is funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for the following groups at higher risk of complications from influenza:

• all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and over
• all children aged six months to less than five years of age
• all individuals aged five years and over with medical risk conditions (see Medical conditions in Table 1)
• pregnant women
• people aged 65 years and over

Table 1

Clinical updates: Zoster and Meningococcal vaccines

Meningococcal updates: Australian Immunisation Handbook

Extensive changes to Meningococcal vaccine recommendations include:

Australian Immunisation Handbook Meningococcal disease

Zoster updates: Australian Immunisation Handbook

Updates and additions to Zoster vaccine recommendations include:

• Recommendation added for People who have previously received Zostavax can receive Shingrix
• Recommendation added for People who have previously received Shingrix need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis to receive Zostavax
• Recommendation added for people ages ≥18 years who are immunocompromised
• Recommendation updates for all Recommendations

Australian Immunisation Handbook Zoster (herpes zoster)

Immunisation Education

Catch-up Immunisation Workshop – MARCH now session available

• About: Please join us for an interactive lunch and learn presentation on immunisation catch up schedules. How to work them out, skills and insight to know in preparing a catch-up schedule.
• When: Tuesday | 14 March 2023 | 12:30 – 1:30 pm
• Register for 14 March session for free. Please note numbers are limited as this session will be interactive.

NCIRS Influenza & COVID-19 update 2023

• About: Annual influenza webinar to learn more about the updated recommendations for COVID-19 and influenza vaccination in 2023.
• When: Thursday | 16 March 2023 | 12.00 – 1:00pm (AEDT)
• Register for free

Lunch and Learn: Milestone checks at scheduled childhood vaccination appointments

• About: Please join us for a lunch and learn presentation on milestone checks – making the most of scheduled childhood vaccination appointments. Learn how to appropriately provide a milestone check to children attending your practice for scheduled vaccination.
• When: Tuesday | 28 March 2023 | 12:30 – 1:30 pm
• Register for free

CESPHN Annual Immunisation Update

• About: Latest updates on the COVID-19 vaccination program, NSW Influenza Vaccination Program and more. Agenda TBC
• When: Tuesday | 4 April 2023 | 7:00 – 8:30 pm (AEDT)
• Register for free