New PAEDS data: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza
The Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) network is a hospital-based surveillance system for selected serious childhood conditions, including vaccine-preventable diseases.
PEADS is updated regularly with new information, and 2025 data is now available. Visit PAEDS: Paediatric RSV in Australia and PAEDS: Paediatric Influenza Australia for current data on RSV and influenza in Australia. Data is updated monthly.
MVEC: PAEDS (Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance)
MVEC: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
MVEC: Influenza
ATAGI statement on the administration of COVID-19 vaccines in 2025
Today, 27 March, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) released a statement with current guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
Vaccination is recommended every 6 months for those aged 75 years or over, and every 12 months for adults 65 to 74 years and adults aged 18 to 64 years with severe immunocompromise.
In addition to these recommendations, some groups are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and may choose to do so based on a benefit–risk assessment.
Find out more in the full ATAGI statement.
Updated immunisation reference page: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
MVEC has recently updated its RSV reference page with a new FAQ addressing whether there is an increased risk of preterm birth associated with RSV vaccines in pregnancy.
Current data has not demonstrated a statistically significant risk of preterm birth associated with Abrysvo. A trial of a different RSV vaccine was halted due to a difference in the number of preterm births in the vaccine group compared with the placebo group.
Find MVEC’s detailed answer in the ‘Commonly asked questions’ section of the MVEC: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) reference page, under the question ‘Is there an increased risk of preterm birth associated with RSV vaccine in pregnancy’.
Medium: A comprehensive review of the MMR vaccine studies – Many years and millions of people revealed no link to autism
This recent article presents a review of MMR vaccine studies over the years. Based on conclusive scientific evidence, the authors affirm that parents can be confident that vaccinating their children protects them from serious illness without increasing the risk of autism.
State-based nirsevimab immunisation programs commencing
Nirsevimab is a long-acting RSV-specific monoclonal antibody recommended for some infants as part of the RSV Mother and Infant Protection Program (RSV-MIPP).
The RSV vaccine Abrysvo is funded on the National Immunisation Program for pregnant people from 28 weeks’ gestation. Nirsevimab is recommended for infants:
- whose mother did not receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy
- born within two weeks of Abrysvo being administered
- at increased risk of severe RSV
- born to mothers with severe immunosuppression.
Nirsevimab programs are already underway in some jurisdictions. The South Australian, Tasmanian and Victorian programs will start on 1 April 2025.
Catch-up programs for infants born before the nirsevimab program commences vary between jurisdictions. Also, note that some infants are recommended to receive nirsevimab in their second RSV season. Read the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance’s (NCIRS) document State and territory nirsevimab (Beyfortus) infant program summary 2025 for more information.
Learn more on MVEC’s immmunisation reference page, MVEC: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
ATAGI: Statement on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines in 2025
On 3 March, the national Department of Health and Aged Care released the ATAGI statement on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines in 2025.
Influenza vaccines are recommended annually and are funded on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for:
- children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
- all adults aged 65 years and older
- specific populations aged 5 to 64 years who are at greatest risk of developing complications from influenza infection (including pregnant women, First Nations people, and those with certain medical risk factors).
For more details, refer to ATAGI’s full statement, and MVEC’s influenza reference page which has been updated for the 2025 influenza season.
Immunisation Coalition: Influenza webinar 2 April 2025
Register now for the Immunisation Coalition’s 2025 Influenza Webinar.
Presented by Angela Newbound and moderated by Dr Andrew Minton, the webinar will cover symptoms and complications (particularly for at-risk patients), epidemiology, NIP eligibility, recent pharmacy-specific reimbursement, vaccine options, efficacy and safety.
The webinar will be held on Wednesday 2 April from 6–7 pm AEDT.
Learn more and register on the Immunisation Coalition’s event page.
MVEC: Influenza
A reminder about Q fever vaccination records
The Q fever register (the previous central recording register for Q fever vaccine administration) has moved to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). Any vaccine administered after 15 April 2024 must now be recorded on AIR.
However, it is important for providers to note that records prior to this date have not automatically been transferred. Therefore, it may be necessary to access both registers to confirm a person’s vaccination status.
Please remember that Q fever vaccination is contraindicated in people with:
- a history of laboratory-confirmed Q fever
- a positive/equivocal serology result
- a positive skin test
- a history of Q fever vaccination
- immunocompromise
- anaphylaxis to a component of a Q fever vaccine (including eggs).
ATAGI does not recommend vaccination for anyone 14 years of age or younger.
Updated immunisation reference page: Influenza
MVEC’s influenza reference page has now been updated to include the latest recommendations and advice for the 2025 season. This includes a summary of vaccine brand for use in each age group as well as commonly asked questions.
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. Influenza infection can cause a spectrum of symptoms, from mild cough and cold features to systemic illnesses with multiple complications. Pregnant women, children under 5 years, those aged over 65 years, people with underlying medical conditions, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples carry the highest rates of morbidity and mortality within Australia.
MVEC: Influenza
(NB: translated versions of the updated influenza reference page will be available soon)
Benchmarque Group: 2025 Immunisation Professional Development Conference
Benchmarque Group’s annual Immunisation Professional Development Conference will cover topics including catch-up vaccinations, vaccine hesitancy, travel vaccinations, priority populations and an update on winter respiratory conditions in advance of the 2025 season.
- Wednesday 30 April - Thursday 1 May 2025 | Novotel Sydney Airport (NSW)
- Wednesday 14 May - Thursday 15 May 2025 | Mercure Doncaster (VIC)
- Cost: $500 per person (covers both days)
Learn more and register on the conference event page. Contact Benchmarque Group for any conference enquiries: 1300 855 568 and [email protected]