Victorian Department of Health: Japanese encephalitis vaccine eligibility update
Eligibility for the Japanese encephalitis vaccine has been temporarily expanded until 31 July 2026, and eligibility criteria have been simplified to include anyone aged 2 months or older who lives or works in a high-risk local government area in Victoria.
To read the health advisory in full, visit Victorian Department of Health: Japanese encephalitis vaccine eligibility update.
For more information about Japanese encephalitis disease, transmission and prevention, visit MVEC：日本脑炎.
Diphtheria in NT and WA
Both the Northern Territory and Western Australia are experiencing outbreaks of diphtheria.
NT Health’s ongoing diphtheria health alert was most recently updated on 22 April. In the Northern Territory, there have been 17 cases of respiratory diphtheria notified since 23 March 2026. Healthcare workers are recommended to receive a booster if their last diphtheria-containing vaccine was more than 5 years ago.
The Kimberly region of Western Australia has also seen respiratory diphtheria cases.
Diphtheria is vaccine-preventable. It mostly commonly causes an acute respiratory illness characterised by a “pseudo membrane” which forms over the pharyngeal area (throat); it can be life-threatening.
Read more about the current outbreaks at The Conversation: Before vaccines, diphtheria used to kill hundreds each year. Now it’s back in Australia.
Read more about diphtheria disease, transmission and prevention at MVEC: Diphtheria.
National Immunisation Program: Free RSV vaccine for older Australians
On 19 April the Australian Department of Health announced the introduction of RSV vaccination to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for older adults.
From 15 May 2026, RSV vaccination will be available for free for:
- all adults aged ≥ 75 years
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults ≥ 60 years.
The Department has released fact sheet with advice for providers on administering respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines to older Australians, as well as a helpful poster guide on the administration of RSV vaccines and monoclonal antibodies across groups.
Read the full statement on the introduction of RSV vaccination for older adults at Department of Health: Free RSV vaccine for older Australians.
Find the vaccination provider fact sheet at Department of Health: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for older Australians – Program advice for health professionals.
Find the poster on the administration of RSV vaccines and monoclonal antibodies across groups at Department of Health: RSV vaccine and monoclonal antibody poster.
For more information about RSV disease, epidemiology and prevention across the lifespan, visit MVEC：呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）.
For information on all immunisation recommendations for the older population, visit MVEC: Older population’s immunisation recommendations.
CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): Tetanus Surveillance — United States, 2009–2023
最近 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report shows tetanus cases in the United States occur across age groups, with the highest incidence among older women.
The report shows that tetanus has a high case-fatality rate; approximately 1 in 10 people who develop tetanus will die.
Read the report in full at: CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): Tetanus Surveillance — United States, 2009–2023
To read about tetanus prevention in Australia, visit MVEC: Tetanus.
ATAGI Bulletin for Immunisation Providers – 27 March 2026: Pertussis
ATAGI has highlighted the importance of pertussis vaccination for older adults in the bulletin following its most recent meeting.
Key points:
- Pertussis doesn’t just affect children. Older adults and people with chronic illnesses are at higher risk of serious illness and complications compared to healthy adults.
- Pertussis has been on the rise in recent years.
- In 2024, pertussis vaccine coverage was suboptimal for adults aged 50 and older.
- ATAGI recommends healthcare workers and all adults aged 65 years and older receive a dTpa (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis combination vaccine) dose every 10 years.
Read the full bulletin here: ATAGI Bulletin for Immunisation Providers – 27 March 2026.
To read more about pertussis disease, epidemiology and prevention, visit MVEC：百日咳.
For information on all immunisation recommendations for the older population, visit MVEC: Older population’s immunisation recommendations.
The Conversation: What is RSV? And why should older Australians have this free vaccine?
Professor Allen Cheng’s recent article in The Conversation provides an overview of RSV disease, and outlines RSV vaccine recommendations for older adults, safety and access.
Read the full article at The Conversation: What is RSV? And why should older Australians have this free vaccine?
Read more about respiratory syncytial virus at MVEC：呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）.
Vaccine Education Center at CHOP: Unpacking the Recent Court Decision about Vaccines (video)
这 Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) provides complete, up-to-date and reliable information about vaccines across the lifespan. In this short video, Dr Paul Offit explain the US court decision related to vaccine policy changes made under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.
Vaccine Education Center at CHOP: March 2026: Unpacking the Recent Court Decision about Vaccines (YouTube)
Free influenza vaccination programs in Queensland and Western Australia
Queensland and Western Australia have announced free flu vaccination programs for 2026.
For details on timing of programs and the vaccines offered, read more on each state’s influenza program website:
Learn more about influenza vaccination in 2026 on MVEC’s influenza reference page.
Pharmacy Daily: Pharmacists are ready for flu season
As influenza vaccinations start to roll out nationwide and the Australian community is being urged to get their shots, pharmacists are being reminded of the critical role they play.
Read the full article at Pharmacy Daily: Pharmacists are ready for flu season.
Learn more about influenza prevention in 2026 at MVEC：流感.
Victorian Department of Health: Expanded access to the Japanese encephalitis vaccine for people visiting high-risk areas
Eligibility to receive a free Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine has been temporarily expanded until 30 June 2026 to include people who plan to visit high-risk local government areas in Victoria for outdoor recreation.
Spread to humans through mosquito bites, JE is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable encephalitis (brain inflammation) in Asia and the Western Pacific.
Read the Department’s full health advisory on expanded access at Expanded access to the Japanese encephalitis vaccine for people visiting high-risk areas.
To learn more about JE disease and prevention, visit MVEC：日本脑炎.