Updates to the Handbook

Added guidance that diphtheria-toxoid vaccines can be co-administered with immunisation products such as RSV monoclonal antibodies.

Updates to advice to provide more detail for live vs non-live vaccines, and specific advice for anti-CD20 therapies.

Updated to specify that infant travellers who receive an early dose of MMR at ≥ 11 months of age but before 12 months may not need a repeat dose, aligning with existing guidance on minimum acceptable age for first dose of MMR.

Added guidance that diphtheria-toxoid vaccines can be co-administered with immunisation products such as RSV monoclonal antibodies. 

Added guidance that diphtheria-toxoid vaccines can be co-administered with immunisation products such as RSV monoclonal antibodies.

Updated to screen for those carrying adrenaline devices for underlying immunological disorders.

Removed Menveo from the list of vaccines which contain latex in their packaging, to align with current product information.

Added detail on which packaging components contain latex.

Updated to remove reference to the Q Fever Register which has ceased operating.

Added guidance that diphtheria-toxoid vaccines can be co-administered with immunisation products such as RSV monoclonal antibodies.

Correction to reference.

Update to table on levels of immunocompromise related to mTOR inhibitors and updates to small molecule therapies resource table related to ALK inhibitors and CLK inhibitors. 

Specified Varilrix must be given subcutaneously while Varivax, Proquad and Priorix Tetra can be given subcutaneously or intramuscularly.

Updated to add guidance on the angle of needle insertion and position of bevel while entering a bung to reduce the risk of coring.

Updates to administration route lists for varicella vaccines.

Updates to intradermal administration route to align with hepatitis B chapter. 

Minor update to pneumococcal catch-up tables for clarity of the schedule, primarily for non-Indigenous children and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in ACT, NSW, Tas or Vic, born before 1 March 2025.

Significant updates to align the catch-up recommendations for pneumococcal vaccination with the new childhood pneumococcal vaccine schedule.

Update to reflect the removal of the precaution around fever for children who receive 13vPCV and influenza vaccine at the same time as 13vPCV is no longer the recommended pneumococcal vaccine for children.

Significant updates to the childhood pneumococcal schedule with key changes including:

• 20vPCV replacing 13vPCV as the NIP-funded vaccine for children aged under 18 years
• Expansion of the 4-dose (3+1) schedule to include all First Nations children in all states and territories
• Doses of 23vPPV are no longer required for infants and children
• Separation of recommendations for children and adults with a risk condition

The chapter also includes updates around transitional arrangements for children who were previously recommended 23vPPV and the recommendation that supplementary doses of 20vPCV for children who have already completed their schedule, is not required.

Other changes occur to provide editorial clarity for adult recommendations, as well as updates to coadministration, interchangeability, epidemiology, vaccine information and variations from product information sections.

Minor updates to reflect the new childhood pneumococcal vaccine schedule including the expansion of the 4-dose schedule to now include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in ACT, NSW, Vic and Tas.

Minor updates to reflect replacement of 13vPCV with 20vPCV as the NIP-funded vaccine.

Minor updates to reflect the new childhood pneumococcal vaccine schedule.

Minor updates to reflect coadministration of Hepatitis B with other immunisation products, including RSV monoclonal antibody.