TGA: Be alert to FluMist indicated age range
On 5 June the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) released a safety update following reports of the live-attenuated influenza vaccine FluMist being administered to children to children under 2 years of age.
FluMist is not indicated for young children under 24 months of age. Health professionals are advised to confirm the child’s age before administration, and review FluMist product information.
Read the safety update in full at TGA: Be alert to FluMist indicated age range
For more information about influenza disease and vaccination, visit MVEC: Influenza
Aabi Award for the Influenza Champion(s) of the Year
Nominations are open until 31 July for the Immunisation Foundation of Australia’s Aabi Award, honouring Aabi’s memory.
The Aabi Award recognises people doing outstanding work to protect Australian families from influenza. Clinicians, researchers, community members, nurses, parents, pharmacists, teachers. Anyone whose work reflects Aabi’s spirit: protecting children, and the families who love them.
Read more on the Aabi Award website.
NIP: Adult pneumococcal vaccination – Program advice for health professionals
From 1 July 2026, Capvaxive will replace Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23 on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for adults.
Capvaxive will be recommended and funded for:
- at-risk adults from 18 years with a specific medical condition
- First Nations adults from 25 years
- non-Indigenous adults without a risk condition from 65 years.
Read more at NIP: Adult pneumococcal vaccination – Program advice for health professionals.
BBC: Three Ebola vaccines in development amid growing outbreak fears
With more than 1,000 suspected cases of Ebola in DR Congo, three new vaccines are being developed to target the Bundibugyo species of Ebola linked to the current outbreak.
Read the article in full at BBC: Three Ebola vaccines in development amid growing outbreak fears.
ABC: Measles cases rise in Australia as authorities monitor deadly outbreaks in South and South-East Asia
The number of measles cases reported in Australia in 2026 is higher than the same period in 2025, with most cases in travellers returning from South and South-East Asia.
Read the article in full at ABC: Measles cases rise in Australia as authorities monitor deadly outbreaks in South and South-East Asia.
Read more about measles disease, transmission and prevention at MVEC: Measles.
NSW FluMist program expanded
From late-May, the New South Wales FluMist program has been expanded to cover children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years for a limited time.
Read more at New South Wales Health: Nasal spray influenza vaccine.
Australian CDC: Diphtheria declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance
On 22 May 2026 Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Prof Michael Kidd AO, declared diphtheria a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance (CDINS).
The declaration enables coordinated national efforts to stop the spread of diphtheria. These efforts include a funding package, and ongoing work to support the outbreak response.
Read more about the CDINS at Australian CDC: Diphtheria declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance.
Read more about diphtheria disease, transmission, epidemiology and prevention at MVEC: Diphtheria.
Australian Immunisation Handbook: RSV chapter updated
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) handbook chapter has been updated to reflect the new addition of the RSV vaccine Arexvy to the NIP for older adults. The updates also clarify timing of RSV-specific monoclonal antibodies in infants and co-administration in older adults, and simply the timing of vaccination during pregnancy.
Australian Immunisation Handbook: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) chapter updates
MVEC: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Western Australia: Free RSV program expanded to protect at-risk over 50s
WA’s RSV immunisation program is being expanded to cover certain high-risk groups of adults.
Groups covered by the WA program include:
- all residents of residential aged care facilities (50 to 74)
- Commonwealth Support at Home recipients (50 to 74 years)
- people experiencing homelessness (60 to 74 years)
- residents of specialist disability accommodation (60 to 74 years)
- people in corrective services facilities (60 to 74 years)
- residents of residential mental health services (60 to 74 years)
- medically at-risk people within the above cohorts (50 to 59 years).
As of 15 May 2026, RSV vaccination has been added to the NIP for all adults aged 75 and over, and First Nations adults aged 60 and over.
Read more about the WA program at Free RSV program expanded to protect at-risk over 50s.
MVEC: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
ABC: Eligibility expanded for Queensland's free nasal spray flu vaccine program
Queensland’s free nasal spray influenza vaccine program has been expanded to included children aged 6 to 17 years.
Read more at ABC: Eligibility expanded for Queensland's free nasal spray flu vaccine program