Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) is the leading research organisation in Australia that provides independent expert advice on all aspects of vaccine preventable diseases, and other issues related to immunisation, to inform policy and planning for immunisation services in Australia.

Research and surveillance activities include surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases, monitoring of vaccination coverage, evaluation of vaccination programs, monitoring of vaccine safety and social research. NCIRS also provides technical support to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, including development and review of technical content for The Australian Immunisation Handbook.

NCIRS brings together experts in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, paediatrics, internal medicine, infectious diseases, epidemiology and quantitative and qualitative survey methods.

Vision and mission

Healthy people in Australia and beyond through immunisation.

To lead and support collaborative research an to advance immunisation policy and practice.

How NCIRS can help

Our work

Information / help lines

The primary role in Australia of NCIRS is to provide expert technical immunisation advice to government. We operate independently of the Australian Government Department of Health.

They are unable to provide patient-specific medical advice via email. Please visit your General practitioner (GP) to discuss your specific clinical situation.

Programs, apps and tools

AusVaxSafety

Led by NCIRS and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, AusVaxSafety is a world-leading national vaccine safety surveillance system. Using de-identified data reported directly from people receiving the vaccines (or their parent or carer), AusVaxSafety monitors adverse events following immunisation and facilitates early detection of potential vaccine safety issues. In the days following vaccination, responses are solicited via an automated SMS using AusVaxSafety surveillance tools (SmartVax or Vaxtracker), which have been implemented in more than 300 sentinel sites across Australia. For more information, visit ausvaxsafety.org.au.

SKAI – Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation

The SKAI website for parents contains information that you can trust, including information about the vaccinations recommended for your child between birth and 4 years. It also provides answers to the common questions parents ask about vaccination.

Recommended links

Last reviewed: July 2022

Information from this partner

Found 66 results

Information about COVID-19 vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

Read more on National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website

Influenza vaccines – Frequently Asked Questions

Read more on National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website

COVID-19 vaccines: Frequently asked questions | NCIRS

COVID-19 vaccines: Frequently asked questions COVID-19 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander immunisation Australian Immunisation Handbook AusVaxSafety Big data Clinical research COSSI COVID-19 NCIRS COVID-19 response COVID-19 vaccine development landscape COVID-19 vaccines: Frequently asked questions COVID-19 vaccination program in Australia Disease surveillance and epidemiology Education and training New South Wales Immunisation Specialist Service (NSWISS) Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) PHN Immunisation Support program Program evaluation Regional and global collaborations Research to inform policy Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) Serosurveillance Social science in immunisation Vaccine coverage Vaccine safety We have provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines

Read more on National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website

Influenza vaccines for Australians | NCIRS

Read more on National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website

Diphtheria is back in Australia, here’s why – and how vaccines can prevent its spread | NCIRS

An unvaccinated toddler from the far north coast of New South Wales is in intensive care after catching respiratory diphtheria (diphtheria of the throat). A six-year-old close family contact is also infected.

Read more on National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website

6 weeks | Sharing Knowledge about Immunisation | SKAI

When your baby is six weeks old, it is recommended they have three vaccines: combined (or hexavalent) DTPa-Hib-IPV-HepB, 13vPCV, and rotavirus. Only two of the vaccines are needles, usually given in babies’ legs. The rotavirus vaccine is given as drops put into your baby’s mouth to swallow.

Read more on National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website

At birth | Sharing Knowledge about Immunisation | SKAI

Most babies get two needles (injections) at birth. One is the hepatitis B vaccine and the other is a vitamin K injection. They are usually given in babies’ legs. 

Read more on National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website

HPV vaccination | NCIRS

Read about HPV vaccination and vaccine safety

Read more on National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website

Vaccination from community pharmacy | NCIRS

Ever wondered which vaccines you could get from your local pharmacy? Find out here

Read more on National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website

Varicella-zoster (chickenpox) vaccines for Australian children | NCIRS

Fact sheet  [PDF – 158kB] September 2022

Read more on National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.