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
30 September 2026
The following pages were updated:
Q fever
Editorial updates including updating the ‘term’ inactivated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Rubella
Editorial updates including updating the ‘term’ inactivated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Secondary (acquired) immunodeficiency due to medical conditions
Updated vaccination recommendations to reflect updated COVID-19 vaccine annual dose schedule.
Table. Accelerated immunisation schedule for infants, children and adults likely to require solid organ transplant updated to include COVID-19 and reflect minimum age for Diphtheria as well as clarifying wording on adult recommendations.
Secondary (acquired) immunodeficiency due to medical therapies
Updated vaccination recommendations to reflect updated COVID-19 vaccine annual dose schedule.
Tetanus
The ‘term’ inactivated has been updated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Typhoid fever
The ‘term’ inactivated has been updated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Vaccination for women who are planning pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding
Updated recommendation for pregnant women to consider a COVID-19 vaccine dose from 20 weeks gestation in every pregnancy.
The ‘term’ inactivated has been updated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Varicella (chickenpox)
Text updated to clarify two doses of varicella vaccine are recommended and the recommended interval between doses.
Editorial updates including updating the ‘term’ inactivated to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Yellow fever
Editorial updates including updating the term ‘inactivated’ to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
Zoster (herpes zoster)
Pregnancy and breastfeeding women were moved from the contraindications section to precautions section.
Editorial updates including updating the term ‘inactivated’ to reflect broader terminology of ‘non-live’.
22 June 2026
The following pages were updated:
Administration of vaccines
Removal of 13vPCV and 23vPCV and addition of 21vPCV.
After vaccination
Removal of 13vPCV and 23vPCV and addition of 21vPCV.
Editorial and factual updates to information about the Australian Immunisation Register.
Catch-up vaccination
Editorial and factual updates to information about the Australian Immunisation Register.
Inborn errors of immunity, including primary immunodeficiency
Updated to reflect the new pneumococcal adult schedule.
Wording adding to reflect that adults with a risk condition aged 50-59 years can consider Arexvy vaccine and to clarify RSV monoclonal antibodies are recommended in each season if children aged <24 months remain at risk.
Influenza (flu)
Coadministration wording updated to align with changes in RSV chapter.
Additional clarifying wording regarding the spacing of LAIV relative to other live vaccines.
People with asplenia and hyposplenia
Updated to reflect the new pneumococcal adult schedule.
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Coadministration wording updated to align with changes in RSV chapter.
Pneumococcal disease
Updates to the adult pneumococcal schedule with key changes including:
- 21vPCV replacing 13vPCV as the NIP-funded vaccine for adults aged over 18 years
- Lowering of the recommended age for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults from 50 years to 25 years and older
- Lowering of the recommended age for all other adults without risk conditions from 70 years to 65 years and older
- Doses of 23vPPV are no longer required for any adults
- All adults regardless of previous pneumococcal vaccine history are recommended a dose of 21vPCV at least 12 months after their previous dose.
- NIP-funded risk groups have expanded to now include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis and emphysema as well as chronic liver disease
A new table of guidance following vaccine errors has been added.
13vPCV and 23vPPV have been removed from all chapters in the AIH.
Other changes include the updated definition for harmful use of alcohol and updates to the epidemiology, adverse events and vaccine information sections.
Preparing for vaccination
Updated to reflect addition of 21vPCV and removal of 13vPCV and 23vPPV including the addition of ‘histidine’ as a new component to the table.
Additional wording to clarify the spacing of LAIV relative to other live vaccines.
RSV added to the section on GBS.
Wording added to clarify that anaphylaxis ampules should be stored in original packaging.