Using the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)

Updates to the AIR ‘due’ and ‘overdue’ rules for pneumococcal – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) ‘due’ and ‘overdue’ rules for pneumococcal have been updated to align with the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

The changes will only apply to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who turn 6 months of age from 28 April 2026, the date of implementation.

The AIR enhancements ensure that:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children display as ‘due’ in 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.

If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child does not receive the additional recommended 6-month dose, this will not:

  • change the child’s NIP Immunisation status (they will still display as ‘up-to-date’)  
  • impact family assistance payments.

An example of an Immunisation History Statement is included below.

Example of an Immunisation History Statement, including NIP immunisation status and due dates for immunisation against various diseases

Display of 'due' information

The Immunisation History Statement will continue to display when a child is due for a pneumococcal vaccine, and a reminder letter will be sent if they become ‘overdue’.

Vaccination providers will be able to view when an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child is due for a pneumococcal vaccine on:

  • the AIR site
  • clinical software (integrated with the AIR).

Vaccination providers will be able to request ‘due’ and ‘overdue’ reports from the AIR site for pneumococcal vaccines that identify individuals who may require catch-up vaccinations.

Services Australia have published the updated National Due and Overdue Rules for Immunisation.
 

Introduction of AIR 'due' and 'overdue' rules for influenza

The AIR has also introduced annual ‘due’ and ‘overdue’ rules for influenza vaccines that will identify individuals eligible for NIP-funded influenza vaccines. AIR will issue reminder letters to eligible people who become overdue for an influenza vaccination.
 

Summary of influenza ‘due’ and ‘overdue’ rules

The ‘due’ and ‘overdue’ rules will be applied each year for individuals 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 administered by 1 March of the current year, a dose is:

  • due on 1 May
  • overdue on 1 June.

Individuals will no longer display as 'due' or 'overdue' for influenza after 31 January of the following year.

All influenza vaccine brands will contribute to the assessment of a person’s status under the new ‘due’ and ‘overdue’ rules. 

  • The AIR cannot identify all specific cohorts or clinical scenarios where an individual may be eligible for a free NIP influenza vaccine.
  • Some eligible individuals, for example pregnant women and individuals with certain medical conditions, will not display as 'due' for influenza in AIR. 
  • Individuals will only display as due for one dose per year, even where 2 doses are clinically recommended.
  • The AIR ‘due’ and ‘overdue’ rules are intended as a guide only. Vaccination providers should refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook and the annual ATAGI Statement on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines for the most up-to-date clinical recommendations before vaccinating.
     

Display of 'due' information

  • Individuals who don’t receive an influenza vaccine each year will continue to display as ‘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 on the AIR site and clinical software (integrated with the AIR). 
  • 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’.
     

Reminder letters

The AIR will send overdue reminder letters between 1 June and 30 September each year, aligning with Australian Immunisation Handbook advice on the peak influenza circulation period.
 

Updates to minimum age rules for influenza

The AIR has updated minimum age warnings for influenza vaccines for the 2026 season, including:

  • FluMist
    • Registered for use in individuals aged 2 to 17 years.
    • A warning will display if vaccination providers report FluMist administrations for children under 2 years of age.
  • Fluad
    • Registered for use from 50 years of age – however, it is only funded under the NIP for individuals aged 65 years and over.
    • A warning will display if vaccination providers report Fluad administration for individuals under 50 years of age.
    • If Fluad is administered to people aged 50 to less than 65 years, it is not funded under the NIP and must be purchased privately. 

Minimum age warnings will appear on both clinical information software and the AIR site when a vaccine has been reported for an individual outside the registered age.

View additional AIR tips and updates here

Disclaimer: This information has been collated by staff members of the PHN Immunisation Support Program – an initiative of the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance. Care is taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. However, users are responsible for checking the currency of this information. Once printed, this document is no longer quality-controlled. Content is considered correct as at 20 May 2026.

Last updated May 2026