Latest News
June 2026 – Changes to pneumococcal vaccine schedule from 1st July 2026. A new pneumococcal vaccine, Capvaxive®, will replace the current vaccines (Prevenar 13® and Pneumovax 23®) on the National Immunisation Program. This change aims to make the schedule simpler and provide better protection against pneumococcal disease.
Capvaxive® is recommended for:
- Adults aged 65 years and over.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 25 years and over.
- Adults aged 18 years and over with specified medical conditions that increase their risk of severe disease.
Further information can be found here. The IBD team is available to discuss what this means for you.
May 2026 – Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine (Arexvy®) listed on the National Immunisation Program from 1st June 2026. Arexvy® is now funded under the National Immunisation Program for all people aged ≥75 years, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged ≥60 years.
Adults ≥50 years with medical risk conditions that increase risk of severe RSV disease can consider vaccination, however the vaccine is not funded for this group.
Further information can be found here. The IBD team is available to discuss what this means for you.
May 2026 – Upadacitinib for the treatment of complex refractory fistulising Crohn’s disease. Upadacitinib (Rinvoq®) has been recommended for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing as a treatment option for people with complex refractory fistulising Crohn’s disease. It is not currently subsidised under the PBS, but we are hopeful it will become available in the near future.
May 2026 – Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month. The St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney IBD team proudly wore purple in May to celebrate Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month and stand in support of people living with IBD.
March 2026 – Updated Australian Government Department of Health biosimilar medicine fact sheets. A biosimilar medicine is a version of an original biological medicine (the first brand to market) that has been shown to work in the same way, with similar safety and effectiveness. You can find more information about biosimilar medicines here. Updated fact sheets are available for the biological medicines infliximab, adalimumab and ustekinumab.
April 2025 - PBS listing of high concentration adalimumab (Hyrimoz®) 40 mg/0.4mL in syringe presentation, in addition to existing pen device. Hyrimoz® storage information has been updated to allow for storage at room temperature (25°C) for up to 42 days once removed from the refrigerator.
March 2025 - New Australian Government Department of Health Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - Biosimilar Adalimumab medicine fact sheet
February 2025 - Release of Crohn's & Colitis Australia State of the Nation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Australia: Summary Report
October 2024 - PBS listing of etrasimod (Velsipity®) for ulcerative colitis
September 2024 - Expansion of shingles (Shingrix®) vaccination eligibility criteria under the National Immunisation Program. Eligible people now includes individuals 18 years and over considered at increased risk of herpes zoster due to specified underlying condition and/or immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive treatments. Ask the IBD team or GP regarding eligibility.
July 2024 - Adalimumab (Humira® and Hyrimoz®) 40mg weekly maintenance dosing now available to be accessed via the PBS for patients living with luminal Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
17 May 2024 – TGA approval of etrasimod (Velsipity®) for ulcerative colitis
18 January 2024 – TGA approval of ustekinumab biosimilar (Wezlana®) for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
3 January 2024 – PBS listing of ustekinumab (Stelara®) for fistulising Crohn’s disease
1 December 2023 – PBS listing of upadacitinib (Rinvoq®) for Crohn’s disease
1 May 2023 – PBS listing of upadacitinib (Rinvoq®), ozanimod (Zeposia®) and ustekinumab (Stelara®) for ulcerative colitis