TGA: AIVC recommendations for the composition of influenza vaccines for Australia in 2026
The Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) met earlier this month to recommend the composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in Australia in 2026.
AIVC recommended the following viruses for vaccines used in Australia for the 2026 southern hemisphere trivalent influenza vaccines:
Egg-based influenza vaccines:
- A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
- A/Singapore/GP20238/2024 (H3N2)-like virus
- B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
Cell-based influenza vaccines:
- A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
- A/Sydney/1359/2024 (H3N2)-like virus
- B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
Read the Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) statement on AIVC’s recommendations in full यहाँ.
AIVC’s recommendation aligns with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for influenza vaccine composition for the 2026 southern hemisphere influenza season.
There has been no detection of the naturally occurring B/Yamagata-lineage influenza virus since 2020. Therefore, in 2023 the World Health Organization (WHO) influenza vaccine advisory committee expressed the opinion that the inclusion of a B/Yamagata lineage antigen is no longer warranted.
For more information, read WHO Q&A on recommendations for 2024 south hemisphere composition of influenza vaccines.
Beyond the Noise: Jumping Without a Net
On his substack Beyond the Noise, American paediatrician and vaccinologist Prof Paul Offit examines the possibility of delaying the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine.
In response to the likelihood that ACIP (the US Advisory Committee on Imunization Practices) will recommend delaying the hepatitis B birth dose, Prof Offit explains the history and rationale of hepatitis B vaccination in America. He emphasises the risks of delaying vaccination.
Read the article in full at Beyond the Noise: Jumping Without a Net
Getting more kids vaccinated on time: Strategies and broader policy considerations to address caregiver-identified barriers to childhood immunisation in Australia
A recent article published in Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health explores evidence-based, feasible strategies to improve childhood vaccination coverage.
The authors propose a multi-sectoral, multi-component approach: improve service access and utilisation; support provider education and advocacy; support parent confidence and engagement with vaccination; and facilitate providers’ access to immunisation data.
Read the full article here, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health: Getting more kids vaccinated on time: Strategies and broader policy considerations to address caregiver-identified barriers to childhood immunisation in Australia
Immunisation Coalition: 2025 Shingles Webinar
On 19 November, the Immunisation Coalition will host a webinar providing an update on shingles epidemology and current trends in vaccination rates. The webinar will feature A/Prof John Litt and Dr Andrew Minton.
तारीख: 19 November 2025
समय: 6:00–7:00 pm AEDT
Learn more and register on the Immunisation Coalition’s event page.
MVEC: Zoster herpes (shingles)
Immunisation Coalition: DTPa immunisation for U5 year olds (webinar)
On 5 November the Immunisation Coalition will host a webinar exploring the importance of maintaining high DTPa coverage in early childhood.
The webinar will feature A/Prof Nusrat Homaira and Dr Andrew Baird, moderated by Dr Rod Pearce.
तारीख: 5 November 2025
समय: 6:30–7:30 pm AEDT
Learn more and register on the Immunisation Coalition’s event page.
अद्यतित टीकाकरण संदर्भ पृष्ठ: जापानी एन्सेफलाइटिस
Spread to humans through mosquito bites, Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a rare but potentially serious disease.
Booster doses are now recommended for individuals who remain at ongoing risk of exposure, to be administered 1 to 2 years following the primary course of vaccination. (Boosters are recommended where primary course was with JEspect, or where primary course was administered with Imojev at < 18 years).
एमवीईसी के JE reference page has been updated with the booster recommendations. The page includes information on JE disease, epidemiology and prevention recommendations.
AAP Fact Check: Debunking vaccine misinformation
Recently the AAP Fact Check team has assessed several vaccine-related claims, debunking myths about: the impact of COVID-19 vaccination in New Zealand; aerosol vaccines in Brisbane; and the benefit of tetanus vaccines.
An article circulating online suggests that New Zealand’s vaccine rollout caused an increase in COVID-19 deaths. The Fact Check team demonstrates that an increase in COVID-19 deaths was related to increased transmission, and that high vaccination rates were estimated to have contributed to 4600 to 9500 lives saved between January 2022 and June 2023.
Read the full article here, AAP Fact Check: No, vaccination wasn't the cause of COVID deaths in NZ
An Instagram post tied images of undulatus cloud formations over Brisbane to myths surrounding the development of a needle-free COVID-19 vaccine. Contrary to the Instagram post’s implication that the new vaccine is being deployed by aircraft, the needle-free vaccine Canadian researchers are developing cannot be administered this way, and would be inhaled through a mouthpiece. According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the clouds are a natural weather phenomenon.
Read the full article here, AAP Fact Check: Claim about aerosol vaccine operation clouds the truth
Another Instagram posts claims that tetanus vaccination provides little benefit, promoting vitamin C as an alternative treatment. The Fact Check team shows that tetanus infections and deaths declined significantly following the introduction on tetanus vaccines. Fact Check systematically addresses the many claims made in the original video, providing evidence for the safety and importance of tetanus vaccination.
Read the full article here, AAP Fact Check: Tetanus vaccine claims shot down by experts
NCIRS: Final data show suboptimal influenza vaccine coverage in 2025
The टीकाकरण अनुसंधान और निगरानी के लिए राष्ट्रीय केंद्र (एनसीआईआरएस) has released its final influenza vaccination coverage data for 2025.
The data shows that influenza uptake is suboptimal across all age cohorts.
- The 50-to-64-years and 65-years-and-older groups had the lowest vaccination rates in six years.
- The 6-months-to-4-years group had the lowest rates since 2021.
- The 15-to-49-years and 5-to-14 years groups both recorded slightly higher rates than 2024, but lower than previous years.
2025 influenza vaccine coverage data is available via the NCIRS website.
For more information on influenza disease and immunisation, go to एमवीईसी: इन्फ्लुएंजा
Recording available now for members: CVU mini pneumococcal update (webinar)
ए recording of last week’s CVU mini webinar is now available for Education Portal members.
Featuring Prof Nigel Crawford, Ms Rachael McGuire and Dr Linny Kimly Phuong, hear the latest on pneumococcal vaccination in line with the 1 September 2025 changes to the childhood pneumococcal vaccine schedule, followed by a brief Q&A session.
By becoming an Education Portal member, you not only support MVEC, but you get exclusive access to:
- past webinar recordings
- eLearnings
- special ticket prices for face-to-face MVEC events.
If you’re not already a member, why not become one now?
Updated immunisation reference page: Needle anxiety and phobia
MVEC has recently updated our reference page on needle anxiety and phobia. The updated reference page provides recommendations for managing needle anxiety and needle phobia across age groups.
This reference page is intended to be helpful for for individuals experiencing needle anxiety or needle phobia, caregivers/parents/support people for individuals who need support, and vaccine providers.
MVEC: Needle anxiety and phobia