AIR Work Programme

Our plan to replace the NIR and CIR with the AIR is being carried out in four phases. These phases may at times overlap.

Phase One: Supporting the 2022 flu campaign 

Phase one of the AIR implementation was focused on supporting the roll-out of flu vaccinations through 2022. This was largely centred on the implementation of a flu form in the CIR, the implementation of GP notifications to make sure GPs are aware of flu vaccinations happening outside of general practice, and the pilot of the new AIR administration system to improve data collection and monitor data quality.  

Phase Two: Reducing the load on the NIR and developing the AIR vaccinator portal (in flight) 

Phase two focuses on developing the AIR vaccinator portal. This includes onboarding facilities and staff, recording vaccinations and viewing vaccination history held in the NIR, CIR and AIR. This phase is underway and is estimated to run to Q3 2023. During this phase we will continue to add functionality to the AIR vaccinator portal, including increasing the number of vaccines. As the AIR vaccinator portal evolves, we will continue to onboard more users from across the immunisation sector and reduce the load on the NIR.  

Phase Three: Enabling consumer access to immunisation records 

The AIR programme is working with other Te Whatu Ora programmes to develop a digital channel for consumers to access their own immunisation records, and those of their dependents. 

Phase Four: Migrating and shifting connected systems from the NIR to AIR 

The largest phase of the programme is implementing the Immunisation Source of Truth (ImmSOT), migrating data from the current NIR, and connecting existing systems (including GP and other third-party systems) to the AIR. 

The Aotearoa Immunisation Register (AIR) vaccinator portal supports vaccinators working outside of general practice or providers who do not have integrated access to the NIR to record vaccinations and view vaccination history that exists in the AIR, NIR and CIR.

A pilot was completed in November 2022 with a small number of Māori and Pacific community providers who used the AIR vaccinator portal to record adult MMR vaccinations. The pilot was used to assist with testing the system and providing insights into future requirements.

 The AIR is still in early stages of development, and we are operating a staged approach to adoption of the AIR vaccinator portal:

• On the 15th of March 2023 ImmuniseNow was decommissioned and is no longer accessible to record vaccinations.
• From February 2023 all providers of flu vaccinations have been encouraged to sign up as users of the vaccinator portal to ensure that they are ready for the 2023 flu season. This includes groups such as Māori and Pacific community providers, occupational health providers and Lead Maternity Carers that offer vaccinations.