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 掐 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
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
Australian Islamic Medical Association: Flu vaccination guidance
这 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
Tasmanian Department of Health: Infant meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine program
From 1 July 2026, the Tasmanian Government is funding a free infant meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine program.
Under the program, meningoccocal B vaccination will be available at 6 weeks, 4 months and 12 months of age, with a catch-up program offered to children born before 1 July 2025 and aged less than 2 years.
People with invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) can become extremely unwell very quickly. IMD is rare, but it can be life-threatening and can cause long-term complications. There are five vaccine-preventable subtypes of meningococcal disease: A, C, W, Y and B.
Meningococcal ACWY vaccination is provided on the NIP for babies, teens and people with certain medical conditions. Meningococcal B vaccination is offer on the NIP for high-risk groups including First Nations children and people with certain medical conditions, and to other groups through jurisdiction-based programs.
MVEC strongly recommends everyone wishing to be protected against ACWY and B strains of meningococcal disease be immunised. Those aged 6 weeks of age and older who do not meet the funding criteria can purchase vaccines privately through some councils, GPs and pharmacies.
For more information about Tasmania’s meningococcal B vaccination program, visit: Tasmanian Department of Health: Infant meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine program.
To read more about meningococcal disease, transmission, epidemiology and prevention, got to MVEC：脑膜炎球菌.
Talks on Tuesdays: How things work – Understanding vaccines
Paul Gill will be presenting on how vaccines work and why vaccination rates are dropping at an upcoming Talks on Tuesdays lecture. Talks on Tuesdays is a live event series bringing big ideas, real experts, and curious minds together - at your favourite local venues.
日期： 9 June 2026
时间： 6:30–8:30 pm
地点： Golden Gate Hotel, South Melbourne
Learn more and register at the Talks on Tuesdays event page.
Contagious conversations: Responding to vaccine hesitancy (Podcast)
This new podcast series has been created in a collaboration between the 澳大利亚传染病协会 (ASID) 和 RACP Pomegranate Health Podcast. Listen to the first episode in the series on vaccine hesitancy now.
Contagious Conversations: Responding to vaccine hesitancy
ABC: Victoria to fund free meningococcal B vaccines for Year 10 students
From 1 January 2027, meningococcal B vaccination will be made available to year 10 students in Victoria.
People with invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) can become extremely unwell very quickly. IMD is rare, but it can be life-threatening and can cause long-term complications. There are five vaccine-preventable subtypes of meningococcal disease: A, C, W, Y and B.
Meningococcal ACWY vaccination is provided on the NIP for babies, teens and people with certain medical conditions. Meningococcal B vaccination is offered on the NIP for high-risk groups including First Nations children and people with certain medical conditions, and to other groups through some jurisdiction-based programs.
MVEC strongly recommends everyone wishing to be protected against ACWY and B strains of meningococcal disease be immunised. Those aged 6 weeks of age and older who do not meet the funding criteria can purchase vaccines privately through some councils, GPs and pharmacies.
For more information about Victoria’s new meningococcal B vaccination program, visit: Premier of Victoria: Protecting Victorian Teens From Meningococcal B
ABC: Victoria to fund free meningococcal B vaccines for Year 10 students.To read more about meningococcal disease, transmission, epidemiology and prevention, got to MVEC：脑膜炎球菌.
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 国家免疫研究和监测中心 (NCIRS) resource: AIR Tip – 20 July 2023.
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.