#283 2021 NIP influenza vaccination program

6 April 2021

The Federal Department of Health has written to AMA Victoria to provide information on arrangements for influenza vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in 2021.

Key updates:

NIP-funded influenza vaccines will become available for eligible people in April 2021, noting specific timing will be subject to local vaccine supply arrangements.
Vaccination providers can order NIP influenza vaccines through the usual channels in each state and territory.
From 1 March 2021, it is mandatory for vaccination providers to report to the Australian Immunisation Register all influenza vaccinations administered.
Currently, administering an influenza vaccine with a COVID-19 vaccine on the same day is not recommended. A minimum interval of 14 days between a dose of influenza vaccine and a dose of COVID-19 vaccine (either the Pfizer/BioNTech [Comirnaty] vaccine or the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine) is advised.

For more information please refer to the following updates published on the Department of Health website:

Hardcopy resources and advice from Australia’s Chief Medical Officer are being mailed to health professionals Australia-wide including GPs, Aboriginal Medical Services and select specialists in each state and territory.

GPs and other immunisation providers can also get the latest National Immunisation Program updates by subscribing to its email list.