About Us

We are the leading voice in whole-of-life immunisation in Australia.

Immunisation Coalition

Who We Are

The Immunisation Coalition is an independent not for profit organisation, incorporated in 2006 as a company limited by guarantee (originally as the Influenza Specialist Group).

We are the leading voice in whole-of-life immunisation in Australia, protecting all Australians against communicable diseases.

We collaborate with like-minded organisations such as Primary Health Networks (PHNs), Public Health Units, Government health departments and other groups that fight vaccine hesitancy.

We are a champion for immunisation education, providing timely, accurate and scientifically informed information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent.

Our Constitution

Read our Constitution Here

What We Do

We create awareness and provide evidence-based information.

We provide educational resources. All our materials are provided free of intellectual property, such as our Guides for Health Care Professionals.

We hold scientific meetings and educational forums on Influenza and adult vaccination.

The Immunisation Coalition’s 2022 Annual Report can be viewed here.

A Statement of Purposes

In the aftermath of a pandemic, community concerns about vaccines are often heightened due to uncertainty and fear. It is therefore crucial that we play a pivotal role in promoting immunisation and building trust in
vaccination in programs, thereby making a significant impact on public health and safety.

Immunisation Coalition – A Statement of Purposes

Our Vision & Mission

The Immunisation Coalition will improve the protection of all Australians against infectious diseases through advocacy for immunisation.

To create public awareness regarding the importance of immunisation by providing educational materials and communication programs.

To co-operate with key Australian professional bodies, consumer advocacy groups and the Australian, State and Territory Governments in their educational activities focused on immunisation to bring information to Australian healthcare professionals and the public.

To work with consumers, health professionals and organisations with an interest in immunisation, ensuring that the information provided to consumers through our website and other communication channels is current, easily understood and scientifically informed.

Our Milestones

1990

Media reports of an expected flu epidemic in Australia at a time when influenza was not seen as a serious issue and doctors were not recommending vaccination

1991

Influenza Specialist Group (ISG) formed as a virtual committee, chaired
by Dr Alan Hampson

1999

First scientific meeting was held in Melbourne on 4–5 February, thereafter it became the Annual Scientific Meeting

2006

The ISG registered as a not-for-profit organisation and incorporated with 16 members and a board of 8 directors. Dr Alan Hampson appointed as chairperson

2008

Kim Sampson employed as the inaugural executive officer

2009

Swine flu pandemic

2010

Communications manager appointed

2012

Inaugural free influenza vaccination day held at University of Melbourne’s Graduate House

2016
  • Dr Alan Hampson retires from the Board
  • Prof Paul Van Buynder becomes new chairperson
  • ISG renamed as Immunisation Coalition
  • Inaugural Adult Immunisation Forum held on the Gold Coast
2017
  • First webinar for HCPs, presented by Angela Newbound
  • IC Annual Free Influenza Vaccination Day moves to Melbourne Town Hall
2018

Prof Robert Booy appointed as the third chairperson

2020
  • COVID–19 pandemic arrives
  • Dr Rod Pearce AM becomes the fourth chairperson of the IC
  • Vaccination day expanded to NSW
2021
  • Introduction of IAW / IC Art Prize
  • Free Influenza Vaccination Day expanded to include Sydney
  • Publication of white paper ‘Enhancing Adult Vaccination Coverage Rates in Australia
2022

Launch of IC animation video ‘Who We Are

2023
  • Became an RACGP CPD Provider
  • Expanded “free flu vaccination day” to include Brisbane
  • Developing a sustainable multi-stakeholder Immunisation Coalition
  • Kim Sampson retired as the inaugural CEO on 31st December 2023 after 17 years of service
2024
  • Dr Andrew Minton becomes the new CEO as of 1 January 2024
  • Expanded ‘free flu vaccination day’ to include South Australia
  • Delivered a record number of HCP education programs to a record number of participants
  • New record for highest general public engagement on social media campaigns
  • Conducted several large general public and HCP surveys identifying key drivers of low influenza vaccination rates
  • Launched new Learning Management System (LMS) platform and hosted 4 winter respiratory disease podcasts and 3 clinical newsletters on RSV, IPD and Pertussis

Governance of the Immunisation Coalition

Through its Board of Directors, the Immunisation Coalition is able to ensure full control over its activities and published materials. Sub committees have also been established to provide additional support. The governance of the Immunisation Coalition begins with its Board of Directors, and Dr Rodney Pearce AM as Chairman.

Immunisation Coalition Board

Committees

Scientific Advisory Committee

The Scientific Advisory Committee provides expert advice to the Board and where appropriate, reviews research in areas of scientific interest to the Immunisation Coalition.

Scientific Advisory Committee Members:

  • Prof Robert Booy (Chair)
  • Prof Lou Irving (Deputy chair)
  • Dr Hazel Clothier
  • Dr Peter Eizenberg
  • Prof Paul Griffin
  • Prof Gary Grohmann
  • A/Prof Lance Jennings
  • Prof Colleen Lau
  • A/Prof John Litt AM
  • Dr Deborah Mills
  • Dr Rod Pearce AM
  • Prof Kirsty Short
  • A/Prof Michael Woodward

Our Management

Dr Andrew Minton, PhD Immunisation Coalition CEO

Dr Andrew Minton, PhD
Immunisation Coalition CEO

The management of the Immunisation Coalition is undertaken by our Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Minton.

Andrew has over 25 years of commercial and medical experience across a number of disease areas. Originally from New Zealand, he has worked in the United Kingdom, Sweden and Germany before settling in Australia in 2005.

His more recent roles have included business development, marketing, medical affairs, and the development of Healthcare Professional-specific CPD programs.

He now looks forward to continuing to develop the Immunisation Coalition as a leader and voice of vaccine-related information and services to healthcare providers, with the goal of improving population health against harmful infectious diseases.

Our Staff

Johanna Hersey Operations Manager
Johanna Hersey
Operations Manager
Anastasiia Barron Events Manager
Anastasiia Barron
Events Manager
Marianne O’Reilly Project Administration Officer
Marianne O’Reilly
Project Administration Officer
Silas Kidd Lead Developer
Silas Kidd
Lead Developer
Karen Wood Graphic Designer
Karen Wood
Graphic Designer

Funding

The Immunisation Coalition (IC) is able to carry out its important work thanks to the generosity of its sponsors, grant givers and in-kind supporters. The IC generates revenue through unrestricted educational grants, sponsorships, provision of educational programs to HCPs, and by working with other health education entities. The sources of revenue include healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, SMEs, and in the past, Government funded bodies such as PHNs and PHUs.

Sponsors and grant givers have no influence on the editorial content of the Immunisation Coalition’s website, publications, or activities, with full control ensured through its Scientific Advisory Committee and Board of Directors.

For the following HCP educational activities, we would like to thank our sponsors and supporters in contributing funds to: non-CPD disease specific webinars, CPD disease specific webinars, the following CPD accredited hybrid meetings; Annual Scientific Meeting, Annual Immunisation Forum and the Primary Care Infectious Disease Meeting.

Sponsors & Supporters

In Kind Supporters

Page Published: 7 March 2017 | Page Updated: 7 April 2025