CESPHN’s Immunisation program supports vaccination providers to increase coverage and reduce vaccine-preventable disease across the region. The program works with general practice, community pharmacy and residential aged care providers to strengthen vaccine delivery, improve Australian Immunisation Register reporting, support cold chain management and address barriers to vaccination for priority communities.
Immunisation
2957
Provider support encounters
399
Cold chain management support encounters
255
National Immunisation Program support encounters
5.6
reduction in overdue childhood vaccinations, between Jan – June 2026.
281
fewer children overdue for vaccinations in the region
28
vaccine account numbers onboarded in community pharmacy.
92.5
coverage for five-year-olds sustained.
3
$75,000 community vaccination education and engagement grants awarded.
662
pneumococcal vaccinations and 320 COVID-19 vaccinations recorded within 60 days through the adult quality improvement activity.
During 2025-26, CESPHN continued to use data-driven quality improvement to improve childhood and adult vaccination coverage. Following the rollout of the overdue childhood immunisation quality improvement activity, overdue childhood vaccinations declined by a further 5.6% between January and June 2026, equating to 281 fewer overdue children in the region.
CESPHN maintained strong childhood immunisation performance in 2025, exceeding national coverage rates for one and two-year-olds and sustaining coverage for five-year-olds at 92.5%. Benchmarking against 31 primary health networks showed improved rankings for one, two and five-year-old cohorts compared with 2020.
Community pharmacies continued to play an increasing role in vaccination delivery. CESPHN strengthened the pharmacy immuniser workforce (through 300 pharmacy engagements) supporting onboarding of vaccine account numbers, providing cold chain education, offering pharmacy immuniser scholarships and the creation of a video explainer series now being promoted by NSW Health as a pharmacist immuniser education resource.
CESPHN also awarded three $75,000 Community Vaccination Education and Engagement Grants to support tailored, community-led initiatives that build vaccine confidence, improve access and respond to local barriers. An independent evaluation confirmed the immunisation program’s contribution to improved vaccination coverage and data-driven population health action.
”The Immunisation team’s guidance is timely, evidence-based and practical, helping us confidently deliver immunisation services and stay up to date with program changes
Community pharmacist