Updates to the Handbook
A list of updates made to the Handbook is provided below by the date they were published. The Handbook will be reviewed 3 times per year following ATAGI meetings in February, May and August. Urgent updates to the content will be made as required.
Recently added
This page was added on 06 June 2018.
Updates made
This page was updated on [date-counter-updated-date]. View history of updates
1 October 2026
The following pages were updated:
COVID-19
Major updates throughout the chapter made to reflect changes to ATAGI recommendations from a primary-booster dose schedule into an annual dose schedule and the transition of COVID-19 vaccine funding to the National Immunisation Program.
Updates include:
- new recommendations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50–74 years
- updated recommendations for all other age groups to reflect annual dose schedule and priming doses where appropriate
- updated recommendation for pregnant women to consider a vaccine dose in every pregnancy
- addition of a detailed risk-benefit assessment
- table of severely immunocompromising conditions replaced with hyperlink to Table of types of medical conditions and immunosuppressive therapy and associated levels of immunocompromise in the Vaccination for people who are immunocompromised chapter
- addition of “timing of COVID-19 vaccination” section
- updated COVID-19 epidemiology, vaccine effectiveness and immunogenicity data where available
- addition of emerging evidence on possible persisting symptoms and/or abnormalities on cardiac imaging for those with COVID-19 vaccine associated myocarditis/pericarditis
- updates throughout the chapter to remove outdated formulations (Comirnaty JN.1 (Pfizer) 6 months to <5 years, 5 years to <12 years and ≥12 years formulations)
30 September 2026
The following pages were updated:
After vaccination
New autoinjector Jext added and new section added on intranasal adrenaline devices to accommodate information on neffy.
Catch-up vaccination
The ‘term’ inactivated has been updated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Tables have been updated for consistency of language and formatting, and correct minor errors.
Cholera
The ‘term’ inactivated has been updated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Diphtheria
The ‘term’ inactivated has been updated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
The ‘term’ inactivated has been updated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Hepatitis A
Changes to reflect the removal of Twinrix Junior (360/10) from the Australian Immunisation Handbook
The ‘term’ inactivated has been updated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Hepatitis B
Changes to reflect the removal of Twinrix Junior (360/10) from the Australian Immunisation Handbook
The ‘term’ inactivated has been updated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Inborn errors of immunity, including primary immunodeficiency
Updated vaccination recommendations to reflect updated COVID-19 vaccine annual dose schedule.
Infants exposed to immunosuppressive therapy in utero or through breastmilk
Editorial update.
Influenza (flu)
Editorial updates including an updated definition of the harmful use of alcohol and a link added to the relevant table on vaccination in pregnancy.
The ‘term’ inactivated has been updated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Japanese encephalitis
A link added to the relevant table on vaccination in pregnancy.
Measles
Editorial updates including updating the term ‘inactivated’ to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Meningococcal disease
A link added to the relevant table on vaccination in pregnancy.
Mpox (previously known as monkeypox)
A link added to the relevant table on vaccination in pregnancy.
Mumps
Editorial update including updating the ‘term’ inactivated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Pertussis (whooping cough)
A link added to the relevant table on vaccination in pregnancy.
The ‘term’ inactivated has been updated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Pneumococcal disease
The ‘term’ inactivated has been updated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Wording added to clarify recommendations for people who undergo HSCT.
Poliomyelitis
The ‘term’ inactivated has been updated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Preparing for vaccination
Minor update to include history of myocarditis and/or pericarditis in the pre-vaccination screening checklist and the Table Responses to conditions or circumstances identified through the pre-vaccination screening checklist.
Table. Components of immunisation products used in Australia had changes to reflect the removal of Twinrix Junior (360/10) from the Australian Immunisation Handbook as well as updates to vaccines containing histidine.
The ‘term’ inactivated has been updated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.