Immunisation program

The following information provides health professionals with current immunisation information, updates and resources and links to vaccination education courses.

Nurses, Midwives and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners can legally administer a vaccine without a doctor’s order or prescription where it is in line with a Scheduled Substance Treatment Protocol.

The primary SSTP in place for public health vaccination is the Immunisation Scheduled Substance Treatment Protocol (SSTP) for Nurses, Midwives and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners PDF (189.9 KB).

This protocol enables the Australian Immunisation Handbook recommended vaccinations for certain groups and applies to vaccines provided under funded programs (eg National Immunisation Program) as well as privately funded vaccines.

Additional SSTP’s are in place for some diseases not currently included in the Immunisation Handbook.

These are listed on the Medicines and Poisons notices and currently include:

  • Monkey Pox
  • Japanese Encephalitis

Information for pharmacists regarding vaccination is provided on the Pharmacist vaccinations.

The immunisation schedules provide information on current National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccination advice for children, adolescents and adults.

Download the current schedule using the links below.

Save the schedules to your desktop for access to quick links for further information. Replace all immunisation schedules when they are updated.

Access the Australian Immunisation Handbook for current vaccine advice.

Access the latest information and resources on Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination here.

2024 Influenza vaccine information

2024 COVID-19 vaccine information

Immunisation updates include the latest information on vaccines and schedules for vaccine providers.

Vaccine wastage form online

Use this form to report all vaccine wastage.

In the event of vaccine wastage due to a Cold Chain Breach, do not discard the vaccines until advised by CDC. Call the Immunisation Program on 08 8922 8315 during business hours to report a Cold Chain Breach.

Adverse event following immunisation form

Adverse events following immunisation refers to any untoward medical occurrence that follows immunisation, whether it is expected or unexpected and regardless of whether it is triggered by the vaccine or coincidentally occurs following its administration.

Refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook for specific definitions and advice on adverse events following immunisation (AEFI’s) or call the Immunisation Program on 08 8922 8315 during business hours.

To report an AEFI on line or to access a hard copy, fill in these forms:

Rabies/Lyssavirus post-exposure prophylaxis form

Use this form for all cases requiring rabies/lyssavirus post-exposure prophylaxis.

This includes giving rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) and/or rabies vaccine.

Email completed form to ImmunisationProgram.TEHS@nt.gov.au.

Vaccine order form

Use this form when ordering all NIP vaccines for your clinic.

In the event of vaccine wastage due to a Cold Chain Breach, do not discard the vaccines until advised by CDC. Call the Immunisation Program on 08 8922 8315 during business hours to report a Cold Chain Breach.

Vaccination recording form

If you are a vaccine provider and do not currently record immunisations electronically, complete this form for people of any age who have received a vaccination.

Email the completed form to ImmunisationUnit.THS@nt.gov.au or fax the form to NT Immunisation on 08 8922 8897.

Correct vaccine storage and handling is fundamental to effective immunisation programs.

This section contains information for vaccine providers on correct vaccine storage, maintaining vaccines at the recommended temperature range of +2°C and +8°C and what to do in the event of a cold chain breach.

For further information regarding vaccine storage refer to the Australian Government's national vaccine storage guidelines 'Strive for 5'.

Check and record the vaccine fridge temperature (minimum, maximum and current temperature) twice daily, before the refrigerator is used for the first time and at the end of each day.

Temperature chart for mobile or outreach immunisation clinics or emergency storage of vaccines.

HESA accredited vaccine courses

To administer vaccines without the order of a medical practitioner in the Northern Territory, nurses, midwives and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners are required to have completed a Health Education Services Australia (HESA) approved vaccine course.

Access HESA approved courses, go to the Health Education Services Australia website.

Alternative courses

The Chief Health Officer may determine another course of study to be acceptable for the requirements of the SSTP. The current approved courses are:

  • About Giving Vaccines Upskilling Course as delivered by the Remote Area Health Corps.

If you have not completed a HESA approved course or a CHO approved course, you may still be eligible to deliver vaccines in the NT and should contact immunisation.ths@nt.gov.au for more information.

All nurses, midwives and ATSIHP must maintain ongoing professional competency in the delivery of vaccines. This can include formal education modules, seminars, self-directed learning and peer-peer training. Clinicians should be guided by their national board’s guidance on CPD.

State and territory legislation outlines who can access and administer vaccines.

All vaccines must be administered in accordance with the relevant legislation, best practice, and the guidelines recommended in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

In the Northern Territory, notices relating to the Medicines. Poisons and Therapeutic Goods ACT 2012, allow certain health practitioners to possess, administer and supply substances under protocol.  For more information, read medicines and poisons notices.

All nurses, midwives, ATSIHPs and pharmacists must be competent and adhere to the indications, restrictions and contraindications identified for the use of any vaccine included in the 'Scheduled Substance Treatment Protocol' (SSTP). Any care provided outside the scope of the related documents referred to in the SSTP must be discussed with a medical officer at the time.

Relevant SSTPS can be found on the medicines and poisons notices webpage.

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