Certain adults are at increased risk of complications or susceptible to vaccine preventable diseases if they have not previously received the vaccination and are in contact with individuals who have the infection. Vaccinations recommended under the NAIS aim to prevent such infections among susceptible individuals and reduce complications, morbidity and mortality2.
The NAIS was developed based on international best practice and the recommendations of the Expert Committee on Immunisation (ECI). Considerations include:
Local disease burden;
Age, occupation, pre-existing medical conditions, vaccination history;
Vaccine safety, efficacy and cost effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing infections among susceptible individuals and reducing complications, morbidity and mortality.
The NAIS is summarised in Table 1 below1. Government subsidies are available for NAIS vaccinations – see Financing section.
Table 1: National Adult Immunisation Schedule
Vaccine
|
18-26 years
|
27-64 years
|
≥ 65 years
|
Influenza (INF)
| 1 dose annually or per season
| 1 dose annually or per season
|
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13)
| 1
| dose
|
Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23)
| 1 or 2 doses
(depending on indication)
| 1 dose
|
Tetanus, reduced diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap)
| 1 dose during each pregnancy
|
Human papillomavirus (HPV2 or HPV4)
| 3 doses
(Females)
|
|
Hepatitis B (HepB)
| 3 doses
|
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) (live)
| 2 doses
|
Varicella (VAR) (live)
| 2 doses
|
|
Recommended for adults who meet age requirement
|
|
Recommended for adults with specific medical condition or indication
|
|
Recommended for adults who have not been previously vaccinated, or lack evidence of past infection or immunity
|
Other Vaccinations
For the use of other vaccinations not part of NAIS (e.g. yellow fever for travel to endemic areas, meningococcal for Haj), please refer to the Package Insert (PI), available on the Register of Therapeutic Products (under E-services, Infosearch) on the HSA website. There is no need to report to the National Immunisation Registry for these.
Administering Vaccinations
Healthcare providers should ensure the following during the administration of any vaccine:
The vaccine is being given to the correct patient,
The vaccine is given at the appropriate time, i.e. appropriate age and interval,
The correct vaccine and diluent are given to the patient,
The appropriate dose has been measured,
The vaccine is being administered via the correct route and technique e.g. subcutaneously vs intramuscularly,
The vaccine is administered at the correct site e.g. deltoid vs anterolateral thigh, and
The vaccination details should be documented in NIR and clinic's EMR accurately with the type of vaccine, diluent, dose, batch, expiry, date and time administered, route and consent.
After the administration of vaccines, patients should be observed for any immediate post-vaccination adverse effects. Patients should also be advised to monitor for possible side effects of the vaccine once they have been discharged.
