Vaccine policy

NCIRS provides input into the development of national immunisation policy in a number of ways.

The NCIRS Policy Support Group assists the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) in development of national policy recommendations by providing a wide range of technical input. This includes, firstly, production of The Australian Immunisation Handbook in accordance with the requirements of the NHMRC and, secondly, technical support for a range of ATAGI Working Parties.

In addition, vaccines submitted to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), for consideration of National Immunisation Program (NIP) funding, require advice from ATAGI to the PBAC at various stages in this process.

NCIRS provides data analysis, literature review and synthesis, and technical report writing to support ATAGI in the development of these advice documents.

NCIRS also provides technical support to the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing Immunisation Policy Section. Support for translating policy into effective immunisation programs is provided by membership and input into the activities of the National Immunisation Committee (NIC).