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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 50 results

Influenza vaccination information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | NCIRS

Information about influenza vaccination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

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

Why does my child need a flu shot? | Sharing Knowledge about Immunisation | SKAI

Serious side effects are very rare

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

What about autism? | Sharing Knowledge about Immunisation | SKAI

Some people think there is a connection because a British a research group, led by Andrew Wakefield, suggested that some children who had received the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine went on to develop bowel disease and developmental disorders such as autism

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

Why is the schedule the way it is? | Sharing Knowledge about Immunisation | SKAI

The schedule is carefully planned to protect babies and children as soon as it is possible

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

Influenza immunisation resources | NCIRS

Influenza immunisation FAQs, fact sheets, publications and data to assist health care providers and patients with the latest information available.

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

Meningococcal | NCIRS

Meningococcal vaccines for Australians - Fact sheet  Meningococcal vaccines for Australians - FAQs Meningococcal B vaccination - a guide for healthcare providers

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

Zoster | NCIRS

Zoster vaccines for Australian adults - Fact sheet Zoster vaccines for Australian adults - FAQs Zoster vaccine screening form for contraindications    

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

Pertussis | NCIRS

Pertussis fact sheet December 2022 [PDF - 269 KB]

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

Vaccine components | NCIRS

Vaccine components fact sheet December 2022 [PDF - 206 KB]

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

Vaccinations during pregnancy | NCIRS

Vaccinations during pregnancy protect expectant mothers and their babies.

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

Call us and speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance.

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

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This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

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