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.
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.
To learn more about HPV, visit MVEC: HPV.
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 एमवीईसी: इन्फ्लुएंजा.
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.
Australian Immunisation Handbook: Pregnant women are recommended to receive an RSV vaccine during each pregnancy to protect their infant
Following its introduction for pregnant people in Australia last year, the RSV vaccination is now recommended in each pregnancy.
MVEC has accordingly updated our ‘Vaccines in pregnancy’ A4 flyer.
To read the recommendation in full, visit Australian Immunisation Handbook: Pregnant women are recommended to receive an RSV vaccine during each pregnancy to protect their infant.
For more information, visit एमवीईसी: रेस्पिरेटरी सिंकाइटियल वायरस (आरएसवी) और एमवीईसी (MVEC): एमवीईसी: मातृ टीकाकरण.
The Guardian: FDA reverses course and will review Moderna’s mRNA-based flu vaccine
Following backlash after it initially refused to review Moderna’s mRNA influenza vaccine, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will now review the vaccine.
Moderna submitted an application for the FDA to approve the new product in December 2025. Other countries, including Australia, accepted the vaccine for review. The FDA’s initial refusal to review the vaccine sparked concerns about the influence of the current administration.
Read the full article at The Guardian: FDA reverses course and will review Moderna’s mRNA-based flu vaccine.
Updated immunisation reference page: Specialist immunisation services
MVEC’s Specialist immunisation services page was recently updated to include details of the new antenatal vaccination service at Northern Health.
Find more details about the new service at MVEC: Specialist immunisation services.
ABC: Parents fail to return consent forms as Far North Queensland HPV vaccination rate drops
Queensland’s HPV vaccination rates have declined since 2019. Public health experts are concerned about particularly low vaccination rates in some areas, pointing to systemic issues causing students to miss vaccines.
Read the article in full at ABC: Parents fail to return consent forms as Far North Queensland HPV vaccination rate drops.
Read more about human papillomavirus at MVEC: HPV.
Victorian Department of Health: Ongoing measles alert
The health alert for increased travel-related measles cases in Victoria remains open. The health alert includes a list of public exposure sites and details about the current risk of measles. Measles cases have also been reported in other jurisdictions (including NSW, Qld, SA और WA).
Read Victoria’s measles alert in full at Increased travel-related measles cases in Victoria.
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others against measles. Read more about measles disease, transmission, epidemiology and prevention at एमवीईसी: खसरा.
WHO: Myth-busters: debunking long COVID myths and misconceptions
The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed 8 myth-busters and accompanying resources to counter misinformation about long COVID.
Share campaign materials to help debunk myths and misconceptions. Read more and access materials at WHO: Myth-busters: debunking long COVID myths and misconceptions.
Read more about COVID-19 disease at एमवीईसी: कोविड-19.
