News
Important Updates: WA Immunisation Programs
Monday April 15, 2024
Read the latest General Practice updates on immunisation programs – Free Influenza Vaccination, RSV Immunisation, and Aboriginal Health Practitioner immunisers programs.
Free Influenza Vaccination Program
The WA Health Minister announced on 2 April 2024 that the free Flu Vaccination program would return for the 2024 flu season. In the months of May and June only, the flu vaccine will be provided for free for anyone over the age of 6 months.
Read the statement and find out more in the WA Department of Health’s Vaccine Update newsletter released 8 April 2024.
Refer to the WA Immunisation Schedule and the Influenza chapter in the Australian Immunisation Handbook for detailed advice, vaccine dosage, and contraindications. We will share more information on the free influenza immunisation program with providers when available.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immunisation Program
The WA Government has introduced a free Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunisation program for eligible infants and babies for the 2024 winter season.
The program will be delivered through participating birth hospitals, general practices, Aboriginal Medical Services and community health immunisation clinics. The program will run from 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024.
Nirsevimab (brand named Beyfortus) is an antibody immunisation that provides direct protection against RSV in neonates and infants. Four cohorts will be able to receive the immunisation under the 2024 program. Eligibility criteria can be found under the ‘Eligibility’ heading on the WA Department of Health website.
The RSV module has been developed by WA Department of Health to provide relevant WA immunisation providers that administer RSV immunisations to eligible children. To access visit Immunisation Education and refer to ‘Immunisation update modules’.
Download the RSV Infant Immunisation Program – Quick Reference Guide
Aboriginal Health Practitioner immunisers
In WA, Aboriginal Health Practitioners (AHP) can now immunise under the CEO of Health Structured Administration and Supply Arrangements (SASA).
The Immunisation Program has announced the development of the first SASA to support AHPs to immunise independently. This is a significant milestone towards improving immunisation service access for the WA Aboriginal community.
This SASA authorises AHPs working in WA Health, Department of Justice and in a health service that is a member of the Aboriginal Health Council of WA to administer vaccines and immunisations according to the WA Immunisation Schedule. To view the SASA, please visit the WA Health website and click on the ‘CEO of Health’ accordion.
