AIR Tip 11: What information is contained on an immunisation history statement and how can individuals and healthcare providers access a statement?

Information on the immunisation history statement (IHS)

A complete immunisation history statement (IHS) shows all vaccines recorded for an individual on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), including COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.

An IHS for individuals aged under 20 years displays:

• name and date of birth
• current immunisation status, including an immunisation catch-up if there is one recorded
• vaccines recorded on the AIR, in order of date administered
• any National Immunisation Program (NIP) immunisations that are due, including due dates
• any notices, such as immunisation medical exemptions, vaccine shortages or clinical trials

Note: For children under 10 years of age, vaccines will be listed as per the NIP Schedule.

An IHS for individuals aged 20 years and over displays:

• name and date of birth
• vaccines recorded on the AIR in order of date administered
• any NIP immunisations that are due, including due dates
• any notices, such as immunisation medical exemptions, vaccine shortages or clinical trials

Notes:

• The AIR does not contain records of vaccinations given before the Register was established in 1996.
• An IHS does not identify additional vaccines recommended and funded for people with at-risk conditions. Immunisation providers should determine additional vaccines recommended based on an individual risk assessment. Additional vaccines that are recommended and funded are listed on the NIP Schedule and the relevant state or territory immunisation schedule.
• The COVID-19 and influenza IHS display COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations only.

Accessing an IHS

Individuals who are enrolled with Medicare can access their IHS using one of the following methods:

• viewing online or downloading onto a mobile device for offline use through:
  • myGov, using Medicare, the Individual Healthcare Identifier Service or My Health Record
  • the Express Plus Medicare mobile app
• calling the AIR on 1800 653 809 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) to request a copy via post
• asking a healthcare professional to print a copy
• visiting a Services Australia service centre and asking for a copy to be printed

Individuals who are not enrolled with Medicare can access their IHS through any of the following methods:

• signing in to myGov
• logging onto the Individual Health Identifier Service
• creating a My Health Record
• asking a vaccination provider to print proof of their vaccinations from the AIR site
• calling the AIR on 1800 653 809 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) to request a copy via post
• visiting a Services Australia service centre and asking for a copy to be printed

Notes:

• Parents and guardians can access their child’s IHS if the child is under 14 years of age
• Due to privacy laws, individuals aged 14 years and over must access their own IHS

Healthcare providers can access a patient’s IHS on the AIR site following the below steps.

Using the AIR site

• Log in to PRODA to access your HPOS account.
• Select My programs.
• Select Australian Immunisation Register.
• Identify the individual, then select the Immunisation details banner to expand their immunisation history.
• Expand the Immunisation details section.
• Select the type of statement you want to download:
  • COVID-19 and influenza immunisation history statement.
  • Complete immunisation history statement
• Select Generate PDF.

To print an IHS:

• check you have the correct IHS
• select the printer icon in the PDF to print.

Software

Software vendors can provide advice on how to access an individual’s IHS within your software.

Useful resources

• Australian Immunisation Register health professional education resources – Services Australia
• National due and overdue rules for immunisation  – Services Australia
• National, state and territory immunisation schedules – Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
• Print proof of vaccinations from the AIR site – Services Australia [PDF]