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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 and to advance immunisation policy and practice.

How NCIRS can help

Our work

The primary role of NCIRS in Australia is to provide expert technical immunisation advice to government. NCIRS is unable to provide patient-specific medical advice. 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 2023

Information from this partner

Found 142 results

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

This fact sheet provides information on varicella-zoster (chickenpox) rotavirus disease and the available vaccines to assist immunisation providers in the delivery of varicella-zoster vaccinations to children.

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

Influenza | Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation | SKAI

Influenza Key facts You can get the influenza vaccination at any time during your pregnancy, and at any time of the year

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

Supporting conversations about vaccinations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | NCIRS

Supporting conversations about vaccinations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people NCIRS fact sheets, FAQs and other resources Australian Immunisation Handbook COVID-19 vaccines Immunisation coverage data and reports Education and training History of immunisation Immunisation schedules National and international resources NCIRS fact sheets, FAQs and other resources COVID-19 DTPa-HB-IPV-Hib vaccine (Vaxelis® and Infanrix hexa®) Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Hepatitis B Human papillomavirus Influenza Japanese encephalitis Measles Measles vaccination catch-up guide Meningococcal Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) Mumps Pertussis Pneumococcal Poliomyelitis Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Rotavirus Rubella Varicella-zoster (chickenpox) Zoster (shingles) Injection site reactions Vaccine components Vaccines for Australian adults Vaccinations during pregnancy NCIRS webinar series Patient communication resources Specialist immunisation services SKAI - supporting health professionals NCIRS newsletters Vaccine safety NCIRS fact sheets, FAQs and other resources Australian Immunisation Handbook COVID-19 vaccines Immunisation coverage data and reports Education and training History of immunisation Immunisation schedules National and international resources NCIRS fact sheets, FAQs and other resources COVID-19 DTPa-HB-IPV-Hib vaccine (Vaxelis® and Infanrix hexa®) Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Hepatitis B Human papillomavirus Influenza Japanese encephalitis Measles Measles vaccination catch-up guide Meningococcal Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) Mumps Pertussis Pneumococcal Poliomyelitis Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Rotavirus Rubella Varicella-zoster (chickenpox) Zoster (shingles) Injection site reactions Vaccine components Vaccines for Australian adults Vaccinations during pregnancy NCIRS webinar series Patient communication resources Specialist immunisation services SKAI - supporting health professionals NCIRS newsletters Vaccine safety This page is for immunisation providers (e

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

Talking with adult patients who have questions | Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation | SKAI

The information on this page, and in the downloadable PDF, is based on the SKAI communications approach. It will help you have productive conversations with adults about vaccination.We have also produced a quick guide as a short visual summary of the recommended steps.

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

After your visit | Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation | SKAI

After your visit Key facts Most babies and children do not experience any symptoms or discomfort from vaccinations

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

Influenza | Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation | SKAI

Influenza Key facts Influenza is a viral infection

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

Vaccinations at 4 months | Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation | SKAI

2 months 4 months 6 months 12 months 18 months 4 years Vaccinations at 4 months Key facts Three vaccines are recommended for your baby at four months of age

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

New South Wales | Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation | SKAI

Specialist immunisation services provide specialised immunisation advice to healthcare professionals. These services have specialised nursing and medical staff to provide clinical advice on immunisation for children with complex or unusual medical backgrounds or who have had an adverse event following immunisation (AEFI). They can support children who have previously been affected by an AEFI by assessing and planning for immunisation and are able to answer complex questions and concerns relevant to an individual’s experience and circumstances.

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

What about autism? | Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation | SKAI

What about autism? Key facts A number of high-quality studies have confirmed that vaccination does not cause autism

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

Example of a supportive flu vaccine yarn | Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation | SKAI

The information in this downloadable PDF presents an example of an actual flu vaccine yarn (conversation) between an immunisation provider and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient. As a provider, you can use this document for ideas about what to say and how to say it. It is not meant to be prescriptive, feel free to adapt. 

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

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