Vaccine service provider information

National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) and State-funded Programs

The National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program commenced on 1 January 2024. This is a Commonwealth funded program, that allows eligible people to access free National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccines from Queensland Health registered Pharmacy Vaccination Service Providers (VSPs), with no out-of-pocket costs.

More information, including program rules and reimbursement rates can be found at National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program - Pharmacy Programs Administrator

Understanding the Immunisation Schedule Queensland

The National Immunisation Program Schedule shows which vaccines people get and when, from birth through to adulthood. The Queensland Government funds some additional vaccines to what is included on the National Immunisation Program Schedule. The Immunisation Schedule Queensland shows both National and state-funded vaccines, therefore, Queensland Pharmacy VSPs should refer to this to ensure that eligibility is appropriately considered for people living in Queensland.

All vaccines listed in the Immunisation Schedule Queensland are free, and eligibility for these vaccines is linked to the eligibility for Medicare benefits. Pharmacists will not be able to charge patients a fee or co-payment for the administration of NIP-funded vaccines.

The Australian Immunisation Handbook may recommend vaccines for some cohorts not covered under the National Immunisation Schedule or State-funded programs. This may include vaccines for travel or occupational risks. NIP-funded vaccines cannot be administered for cohorts not eligible under the National Schedule or as part of state-funded programs. Pharmacists may still administer the vaccines in line with the Extended Practice Authority 'Pharmacists', but will need to procure the stock privately. Patients may be charged a fee for the vaccine and/or for the administration of private market vaccines.

Ordering NIP and state-funded vaccines

Queensland Community Pharmacy VSPs can order select NIP and state-funded vaccines from the Queensland Health Immunisation Program (QHIP), providing they have an approved Queensland Health Vaccine Management Protocol (VMP). Community Pharmacies that are not registered as a VSP and do not have an approved VMP will not be able to order NIP and state-funded vaccines from QHIP.

The Public Health Unit (PHU) for the area your pharmacy is in a key point of contact and support for all aspects of vaccine management relating to both NIP and state-funded vaccination programs. The PHU will be responsible for reviewing and approving your VMP.

Refer to the Public Health Units page for contact details and further information.

To order NIP vaccines, you will need to complete the Pharmacy Vaccine Order Form and email it to QHIP-ADMIN@health.qld.gov.au. Vaccines that are available for order include:

Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (Boostrix/Adacel)
Herpes Zoster (Shingrix)
Human Papilloma Virus (Gardasil 9)
Influenza (seasonal)
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMRII/Priorix)
Meningococcal ACWY (Nimenrix)
Meningococcal B (Bexsero)
Pneumococcal (Prevenar 13, Pneumovax 23)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (Abrysvo®) - maternal RSV program only

Pharmacy VSPs can order NIP and state-funded vaccines fortnightly, except during the peak influenza season where influenza vaccine orders can be placed up to weekly.

It is recommended that pharmacies order no more than 4 weeks of stock at a time. If you are ordering excessive quantities, or more frequently than fortnightly (with the exception of ordering during the influenza season) your order may not be processed.

Please allow up to 3–5 working days for processing and delivery of orders. Once your order is dispatched from the warehouse a notification will be sent to the registered email address.

Registering with Queensland Health as a Pharmacy Vaccination Service Provider

You can submit any enquiries about registering as a Pharmacy VSP by emailing QHIP-ADMIN@health.qld.gov.au.

Administering NIP and state-funded vaccines

You must ensure that all personal information (Medicare number, name, contact details, date of birth and gender) is correct and up to date. Pharmacist immunisers are required to check the AIR prior to administration of vaccines, as well as report all vaccines administered to the AIR within 24 hours, and no more than 10 working days after the vaccination.

The Extended Practice Authority ‘Pharmacists’ Appendix 2, outlines the vaccines that can be administered by Pharmacists in Queensland, under this authority. Vaccination providers must ensure that NIP and state funded vaccines are only administered to those that are eligible.

For more information about vaccine management, visit the order, store and manage vaccines webpage.

Reporting Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) and Vaccination Errors

Under the Public Health Act 2005, adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) are a notifiable condition. It is important that all AEFI are reported, particularly if serious or unexpected, as this will enable vaccine safety issues to be identified and managed appropriately as soon as possible.

Notify all AEFI to Queensland Health by completing an Adverse Events Following Immunisation Reporting Form (PDF 390 kB).

Vaccine administration errors (VAEs) can occur because of errors in vaccine preparation, handling, storage or administration and can be associated with immunisation error-related reactions. Identification and follow-up of VAEs can identify and correct immunisation error-related reactions in a timely manner, and essential to ensuring the quality and safety of an immunisation service.

It is the responsibility of the immuniser provider to manage VAEs and they should seek advice from their Public Health Unit if required. VAEs that result in a suspected AEFI, must be reported to Queensland Health.

For more information, visit Adverse event following immunisation | Queensland Health webpage.

Providing offsite vaccination

If you wish to provide vaccination outside of the pharmacy setting, please refer to the Extended Practice Authority 'Pharmacists' for locations that are approved under current state legislation. If you wish to vaccinate outside of these approved locations, you will need to apply for General Approval. More information regarding this can be found at General approvals | Queensland Health

Claiming for state-funded programs

2024 Free Flu Vaccination Program

The 2024 Free Flu vaccination program has now ended. Pharmacies can continue to claim for NIPVIP payments from the Commonwealth Government where eligible.

Queensland MenB Vaccination Program

Pharmacies in Queensland will be able to claim reimbursement of $19.32 for each meningococcal B vaccination administered under the Queensland state-funded program. You will not be able to charge a fee to the patient for administration of this vaccine. Reimbursement for menB vaccines administered under NIP eligibility criteria should be claimed for through the NIPVIP program.

To obtain reimbursement for administered menB vaccines, please use the following documentation, ensuring you have met all submission requirements. Alternatively, pharmacies that use MedAdvisor can claim through the Pharmacy Guild of Australia using the same process as the 2024 Free Flu Vaccination Program.

Invoicing Queensland Health for meningococcal B Vaccination reimbursement (PDF 157 kB)

Reconciliation Declaration - Request for payment for meningococcal B vaccinations (PDF 313 kB)

Submissions for reimbursement should be made no more frequently than fortnightly.

Please see Queensland MenB Vaccination Program | Queensland Health for further information about the MenB Program.

For further information, please email immunisation@health.qld.gov.au

Queensland Paediatric RSV Prevention Program (Maternal RSV vaccination)

There is currently no mechanism for reimbursement of Abrysvo® administration under the Queensland Paediatric RSV Prevention Program. Pharmacies may choose to charge an administration service fee to consumers eligible for this state-funded vaccine. Once Abrysvo is listed on the National Immunisation Program in early 2025 (date to be confirmed), pharmacies will be able to claim a payment through the NIPVIP program and will no longer be able to charge consumers a fee.

Summary of reimbursement available to Queensland community pharmacies in 2024

Vaccine Type (current as at 26/11/2024)	Where to claim reimbursement	Reimbursement per vaccine administered
NIP 6 months to <5 years	2024 program has ended
NIP 5 years and over in a pharmacy setting, a RACF or a disability home	Commonwealth (NIPVIP)	$19.32
NIP influenza administered in all other non-pharmacy settings not included above	2024 program has ended
Private Market Influenza (all brands)	2024 program has ended

Vaccine Type (current as at 26/11/2024)	Where to claim reimbursement	Reimbursement per vaccine administered
Infants to 12 months and catch-ups for 12 months to <2 years old	Not in scope under current EPA	-
Adolescents (15-19 years old)	Queensland Health	$19.32
NIP Meningococcal B	Commonwealth (NIPVIP)	$19.32

Vaccine Type (current as at 26/11/2024)	Where to claim reimbursement	Reimbursement per vaccine administered
MM*1	Commonwealth	$28.38
MM*2	Commonwealth	$31.60

Vaccine Type (current as at 26/11/2024)	Where to claim reimbursement	Reimbursement per vaccine administered
5 years and over (where administered in a pharmacy setting, a RACF or a disability home	Commonwealth (NIPVIP)	$19.32
<5 years old (or >5 years outside of a pharmacy setting, a RACF or a disability home)	Nil reimbursement available	-