What is AIR?

The Australian Immunisation Register ( AIR ) is a national register administered by Medicare Australia that records details of vaccinations given to children under seven years of age who live in Australia. It was established in 1996 in response to a decline in childhood immunisation in Australia and an increase in preventable childhood diseases.

Children who are under seven years of age and enrolled in Medicare are automatically included on the AIR . Children who are not eligible to enrol in Medicare can be added to the AIR when details of a vaccination are received from a doctor or immunisation provider.

Health professionals use the AIR to monitor immunisation coverage levels and service delivery, and to identify regions at risk during disease outbreaks. AIR data also:

• Enables immunisation providers and parents/guardians to check on the immunisation status of an individual child, regardless of where the child was immunised

  Forms the basis of an optional Immunisation History Statement which informs parents and guardians of their child's recorded immunisation history

  Provides information about a child's immunisation status to help determine eligibility for the Australian Government's Child Care Benefit and Maternity Immunisation Allowance payments

  Provides a measure of coverage at a national, State/Territory and local level

  Provides information for the delivery of incentive payments and feedback reports to eligible immunisation providers.

  Source: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/patients/acir/