Education

Kids Health Info: The 2026 flu update with Dr Nigel Crawford (podcast)

MVEC Director Prof Nigel Crawford was recently a guest on the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Kids Health Info podcast. 

Prof Crawford is the Director of SAEFVIC (Victorian safety reporting service) and MVEC, as well as medical head of the Royal Children’s Hospital Immunisation Service. 

Listen now

MVEC: Influenza

by Alice Black

Australian Islamic Medical Association: Flu vaccination guidance

The Australian Islamic Medical Association (AIMA) offers helpful guidance on influenza vaccination which address the permissibility of the nasal influenza vaccine containing porcine gelatine.  

According to AIMA, the vaccine containing porcine gelatine is permissible (halal) to use. The non-porcine injectable vaccine is available for families who prefer an alternative.

AIMA: Flu vaccination guidance

MVEC: Influenza

by Alice Black

Contagious conversations: Responding to vaccine hesitancy (Podcast)

This new podcast series has been created in a collaboration between the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) and the RACP Pomegranate Health Podcast. Listen to the first episode in the series on vaccine hesitancy now.

Contagious Conversations: Responding to vaccine hesitancy

by Alice Black

From the vault – NCIRS: AIR tip

For guidance on how to report newborn vaccinations for infants who are not yet enrolled in Medicare, refer to this National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) resource: AIR Tip – 20 July 2023.

by Alice Black

Immunisation workshop in Mongolia

MVEC Director Prof Nigel Crawford and Education Nurse Coordinator Rachael McGuire recently travelled to Mongolia as part of a workshop with Mongolia’s National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) and Ministry of Health.

Facilitating with colleagues from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Melbourne, the 5-day program focused on NITAG strengthening, optimising pneumococcal prevention and response, health economics, vaccine safety, and communication. 

The international collaboration and support for evidence-based immunisation policy was a wonderful way to celebrate World Immunization Week! We look forward to the ongoing collaboration and continued learning. 

This project was supported by the Gates Foundation. Thank you to UNICEF for the invitation.

by Alice Black

Updated immunisation reference page: Influenza

MVEC’s influenza reference page has been updated to include the latest recommendations and advice for the 2026 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)

by Alice Black

Benchmarque Group: Launceston immunisation seminar

Register now for Benchmarque Group’s 1-day immunisation seminar to be held in Launceston on 15 April 2026.

Learn more and register on the Benchmarque Group event page. 

by Alice Black

SKAI: Talking with parents about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination

This recently published conversation guide aims to help immunisation providers engage confidently with parents and carers about the importance of timely human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination.

Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI): Talking with parents about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination 

To learn more about HPV, visit MVEC: HPV. 

by Alice Black

TGA: 2026 Seasonal Influenza Vaccines

On 4 March, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) published its 2026 Seasonal Influenza Vaccines report. 

The report covers the 2026 seasonal influenza vaccines, with information on vaccines by age group, vaccine ingredients and co-administration. 

For more information, visit MVEC: Influenza.

by Alice Black

ATAGI: Statement on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines in 2026

On 27 February, the national Department of Health and Aged Care released the ATAGI statement on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines in 2026.

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 2026 influenza season. 

by Alice Black