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
27 September 2021
The following pages were updated:
Administration of vaccines
Guidance on intradermal injection expanded.
Diphtheria
Minor changes based on ATAGI advice. See Vaccination after tetanus-containing vaccines.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Updated guidance on route of administration.
- Removal of Menitorix as vaccine was discontinued in July 2020.
Meningococcal disease
Removal of Menitorix as vaccine was discontinued in July 2020.
Mumps
Minor changes to guidance for women planning pregnancy in Variations from product information.
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Clarification of advice regarding the minimum interval between a dTpa-containing vaccine after a dT-containing vaccine. See vaccination after tetanus containing vaccines.
Pneumococcal disease
Guidance for doses of 23vPPV required after a haematopoietic stem cell transplant updated.
Preparing for vaccination
Rabies and other lyssaviruses
Recommendations have been updated to allow intradermal vaccination and accelerated schedules for rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis.
Recommendations for people at ongoing exposure risk in selected high-risk occupations have been updated to specify a booster dose 1 year after completing the 1st course of pre-exposure prophylaxis, and every 3 years after that.
For post-exposure prophylaxis, recommendations have been updated to specify the number of vaccine doses and the need for human rabies immunoglobulin for people who are mildly immunocompromised and people who are severely immunocompromised.
Zoster (herpes zoster)
More detailed guidance provided on the use of Zostavax in people who are immunocompromised or on immunosuppressive therapy, including:
- more details on pre-vaccination screening, including serological testing for past varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection when relevant
- expanded list of immunosuppressive therapies that are considered safe for administration of Zostavax
Adverse events section updated to include:
- detailed information on VZV-like rash that could rarely occur following Zostavax administration
- relevant advice to vaccine recipients
- management and reporting of these episodes
13 April 2021
The following pages were updated:
Influenza (flu)
2021 Influenza seasonal updates.
Updates to influenza information in line with the ATAGI annual statement for seasonal influenza vaccines. Flucelvax Quad is now registered for use in Australia and is indicated in children and adults ≥9 years of age.
13 January 2021
The following pages were updated:
After vaccination
Editorial changes to content to reflect closure of National HPV Vaccination Program Register.
Section on reporting to immunisation registers updated to reflect closure of National HPV Vaccination Program Register.