NSW Health offers the following free vaccines via pharmacist immunisers, through the State funded and  National Immunisation Program (NIP).

·         Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) combination vaccine for people 12-19 years

·         Hepatitis B vaccine as per state funded program eligibility

·         Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for people 12-25 years

·         Influenza vaccine for people 5 years and over as per NIP eligibility

·         Japanese encephalitis vaccine for eligible people 5 years and over

·         Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine for people 14-19 years

·         Measles-mumps-rubella combination vaccine for people 12 years and over as per state funded program eligibility

·         Poliomyelitis vaccine for people 5 to 19 years

These vaccines can be ordered from the NSW Vaccine Centre after registering the pharmacy for a Vaccine Account Number (VAN).

Eligibility requirements for access to these NIP vaccines

  • Appropriately-trained pharmacist immunisers are eligible to apply for a State Vaccine Centre account if they meet all the requirements in the  NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards and the online Declaration form.
  • The pharmacist immuniser must ensure that they have completed training for all authorised vaccines that they intend to administer. 

Applying for a Vaccine Account Number (VAN) from the State Vaccine Centre

  • To register for a VAN for your pharmacy, visit https://nsw.tollhealthcare.com/newPharmacy/ and follow the prompts, noting that you will need to provide your pharmacy's Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) provider number, principal accredited pharmacist immuniser's AHPRA number/expiry date and confirm that all pharmacist immunisers have access to AIR to review and update vaccination records.
  • If you do not already have a pharmacy AIR provider number, you must apply for this first.
  • If you do not already have organisation/individual PRODA access, then this must also be arranged prior to applying for a VAN

Ordering vaccines

  • Once a VAN has been obtained, orders for NIP funded vaccines, specific to the age groups, can be placed through the NSW Vaccine Centre. Allocation and ordering limits will apply.
  • Detailed instructions on  how to order vaccines

Acknowledging receipt and storage of delivery

  • All NIP vaccine deliveries must be receipted through the NSW Vaccine Centre.
  • Further orders will not be possible if the delivery is not receipted.
  • All NIP and state funded vaccines must be stored separately from privately purchased vaccines and clearly labelled to ensure they are only used for patients in the eligible cohorts.

Reporting to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)

  • Pharmacist immunisers must check each individual’s vaccination history on the AIR before administering any vaccines.
  • Pharmacist immunisers must report all vaccines administered to the AIR, preferably within 24 hours of administration but must be within 10 business days.
  • For information on registering for access to the AIR.

Cold chain

  • All vaccines must be stored between +2° and +8°C according to the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’. For any cold chain breaches involving NIP or state funded vaccines, contact your local Public Health Unit (PHU) on 1300 066 055, to discuss the viability of the impacted NIP or state funded vaccines. These vaccines must be separated and noted 'Not for use', until further advice is received from the PHU.
Current as at: Friday 17 February 2023
Contact page owner: Immunisation