Immunisation and Cold Chain Information

It’s never too late to get vaccinated, but the best time is before winter when respiratory viruses are more common. Eligible people are encouraged to receive their flu, COVID-19 and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations between April and September to help protect them throughout the peak season. Pneumococcal is also recommended for some priority groups.

COVID-19

COVID-19 is now an endemic in Australia, but vaccination remains an important measure to protect those at risk of severe disease. From 1 October 2026, COVID-19 vaccines will be provided via the National Immunisation Program (NIP). This will replace the standalone national COVID-19 Vaccine Program. Until 1 October 2026, providers should continue to recommend and administer COVID-19 vaccines in accordance with the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

Vaccine will remain free for priority groups including adults 75 years and older, 65 to 74 years old, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 50-74 years, 18-64 years old with severe immunocompromise.

Influenza

While anyone can get the flu, some are more likely to get very sick and could be at a higher risk. Getting the flu vaccination can also help you protect others by stopping flu from spreading. The flu vaccine is free for eligible groups including those who are 6 months old and under 5 years old, people who are 65 years and older, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions.

Pneumococcal Vaccination

The pneumococcal vaccine provides protection against the bacterial infection called pneumococcal disease, which can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infection and meningitis. It is especially serious for young children and older people.

The vaccine is free to children as part of routine vaccinations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 50 years and older, adults 60-74 years old, 75 years and older and anyone with conditions that increase risk of pneumococcal disease.

RSV

The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends RSV vaccination for specific groups including pregnant women at 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy, people 75 years and older, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 60 years and older and people with medical risk factors for severe RSV disease.

Other Vaccinations

Patients are also encouraged to talk to their GP about their eligibility for other recommended vaccines available under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Department of Health Resources

• National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’ (4^th edition)
• National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’- Appendix 2 – Vaccine Storage Self Audit:
  Immunisation service providers are required to use this checklist to carry out a self-audit at least once every 12 months, and more frequently if there have been problems with equipment or cold chain breaches.
• Strive for 5: Minimum/maximum vaccine refrigerator temperature chart:
  This is the only temperature logging chart that is approved for use by the Public Health Units. It is important that it is printed in colour. You can order this resource to be sent out to you through National Mailing and Marketing (see information on website via link provided).

NSW Health Resources

• Immunisation toolkit for immunisation providers (2026)
• Winter respiratory vaccination toolkit
• Vaccine storage and cold chain management
• Vaccine storage and cold chain management online training module: This free training module should be completed by anyone responsible for cold chain management.
• Safe vaccine storage checklist
• Receiving a vaccine delivery
• Cold chain breach protocol
• Cold Chain Breach Labels: Complete the NSW immunisation resource order form and email to the better health centre to request A4 sheets of labels.

Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)

The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), through Services Australia, is a national register that records all vaccines given to people of all ages in Australia.

Services Australia has a section on AIR for health professionals with guidelines and resources.

Provider Digital Access (PRODA)

PRODA is an online identity verification and authentication system through Services Australia. It lets you securely access government online services.

Digital Health: Clinician Vaccine Integrated Platform (CVIP)

The Clinician Vaccine Integrated Platform is used to manage vaccinations and report vaccination information to AIR. It can be used by recognised providers who do not already have clinical software that reports to AIR. This may include medical practitioners, pharmacists, nurses, and midwives.

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)

NCIRS provides objective expert advice on all aspects of vaccine preventable diseases, and other issues related to immunisation, to inform policy and planning for immunisation providers in Australia.

NCIRS also provides specialist immunisation services for health professionals. Specialised nursing and medical staff provide clinical advice to immunisation providers. In NSW there is advice for immunisation providers on COVID-19 immunisation and general immunisation. There are also clinics for children and adolescents, and adverse event reporting resources.

AusVaxSafety

AusVaxSafety is a world-leading national vaccine safety system incorporating active surveillance, clinical assessment network, hospital surveillance, and safety investigation using linked data.

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)

ATAGI provides information for the Minister for Health and Aged Care on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and other immunisation issues.

Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI)

SKAI has developed communication strategies and information resources to support parents and health professionals to have better conversations about immunisation.

Penrith Public Health Unit

The role of the Public Health Unit is to identify and prevent (or minimise) public health risks to the community.

The Penrith PHU provides services across the local government areas of the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith.

There are three teams:

1. Infectious Diseases
2. Immunisation
3. Environmental Health

To contact the Penrith PHU call 4734 2022 or visit their website for immunisation support.

In NSW, calling 1300 066 055 will direct you to your local PHU.

We offer continuing professional development (CPD) and training opportunities to help your practice or residential aged care home meet your immunisation and cold chain management requirements.

Find upcoming training.

NSW Health

Offers a vaccine storage and cold chain management online training module.

The Benchmarque Group

Offers a range of Immunisation Courses

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA)

Offers a range of courses:

• Immunisation in the Primary Health Care Setting: Online learning program based on the clinical recommendations and information contained within the Australian Immunisation Handbook. Suitable for primary health care nurses, however, does not enable a nurse to become an accredited immuniser. Duration 12 hours (12 CPD points).
• Influenza Prevention: Online learning course designed to provide nurses with concise, practice-based information to support the administration of influenza vaccines. Duration 1.5 hours (1.5 CPD points).
• Pertussis: Online learning module developed to provide an understanding of pertussis in Australia. Duration 1 hour (1 CPD point).
• Telehealth for COVID-19: This activity has been developed for nurses interested in learning more about providing telehealth consults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Duration 30 minutes (0.5 CPD points).

Australian College of Nursing

Offers a range of Immunisation Courses

National Immunisation Conferences

The Public Health Association (PHA) hosts immunisation conferences. Once uploaded to the PHA website, access to past conferences remains available to non-members for up to 12 months.

• Authority for registered nurses and midwives (including COVID-19 vaccine) 
• Authority for residential facilities (influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, shingles vaccine) 

The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) has a helpful scope of practice resource for health professionals administering vaccines.