04 May 2026
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Summary
The AIR due and overdue rules for Pneumococcal have been updated to align with the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule for First Nations children.
To support the 2026 influenza season, new due and overdue rules for influenza vaccination have been introduced in the AIR. These changes will help vaccination providers identify individuals eligible for NIP funded influenza vaccines and enable reminder letters to be sent when individuals become overdue. This will apply to
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
- Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
- People aged 65 years or over.
The changes for both Pneumococcal and Influenza due and overdue rules will not impact Family Assistance payments.
Updates to the AIR due and overdue rules for pneumococcal – First Nations children
The AIR due and overdue rules for Pneumococcal have been updated to align with the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule for First Nations children.
The changes will only apply to First Nations children who turn six months of age from the date of implementation.
The AIR enhancements ensure that:
- First Nations children correctly display as ‘due’ in the AIR for the additional pneumococcal dose recommended at 6 months of age.
- Any pneumococcal vaccine administered at 6 months of age displays under the correct schedule on the child’s Immunisation History Statement (IHS).
NOTE – If a First Nations child does not receive the additional recommended 6-month dose, it will not:
- affect their NIP Immunisation status (they will still display as ‘up-to-date’).
- impact Family Assistance payments.
An example of the updated IHS is provided below.
Display of due information:
- The IHS will continue to display when a child is due for a Pneumococcal vaccine.
- Reminder letters will be sent if a child becomes overdue.
Vaccination providers can view pneumococcal due information for First Nations children through:
- the AIR site; and
- clinical information software integrated with the AIR.
Providers can also run due and overdue reports via the AIR site consistent with other NIP vaccines, to support identification of children who may require catch-up vaccination.
Introduction of AIR due and overdue rules for Influenza
To support the 2026 influenza season, new due and overdue rules for influenza vaccination have been introduced in the AIR. These changes will help vaccination providers identify individuals eligible for NIP funded influenza vaccines and enable reminder letters to be sent when individuals become overdue.
Who the rules apply to
The due and overdue rules will be applied for people eligible for a NIP funded influenza vaccine, including:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
- Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
- People aged 65 years or over.
If an influenza vaccine has not been recorded since 1 March of the current year, the dose will be:
- ‘due’ on 1 May
- ‘overdue’ from 1 June.
Overdue reminder letters will be issued between 1 June and 30 September, aligning with advice on peak influenza circulation periods.
NOTE – Display of due information
- Individuals who don’t receive an influenza vaccine each year will continue to display due until 31 January of the following year. This information will appear on their Immunisation History Statement and My Health Record.
- Due information will display for vaccination providers in the AIR site and clinical information software (integrated with the AIR). This prompts providers to consider vaccination and supports clinical decision-making based on current influenza activity. This information will also be available through AIR site reports.
- These changes do not affect eligibility for family assistance payments. If a child is only overdue for influenza (and no other diseases), their vaccination status will remain as ‘up to date’.
Services Australia published the updated National Due and Overdue Rules for Immunisation on 28 April 2026.
