| All Vaccine Management resources and information is now hosted at the new Vaccine Management site, please visit http://vaccinemanagement.gpqld.com.au for more information |
Overview
The (GPQ Immunisation Program provides assistance to all divisions of general practice in Queensland and provides leadership and advocacy at a state level with the aim of increasing immunisation coverage rates and improving the quality of vaccination services.
To achieve this, the Immunisation Program works with a variety of statewide organisations regarding the safety and quality of immunisation service delivery.
At a program level, our focus is on promoting the aims of the National Immunisation Program and the General Practice Immunisation Incentives Scheme, vaccine management (cold chain), data quality and management as well as improving immunisation rates amongst Indigenous and ‘hard to reach’ groups.
Objectives
- Activities aimed at increasing childhood immunisation rates through stakeholder engagement, strategies targeting hard-to-reach populations and continuing education
- Continued enhancement of relationships with all stakeholders involved in immunisation service provision
- Advocacy at a state and national level on immunisation issues relevant to primary health care
Achievements
- Queensland Vaccine Management Project
- Queensland Vaccine Management Project Review
- Queensland Immunisation Data Project - Scoping Study
- Queensland Vaccine Management Project - Website Development
For further information regarding these projects and their outcomes, please contact Sabrina Ostowari at sostowari@gpqld.com.au
News
- Strengthening Childhood Immunisation Initiative
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Influenza Vaccination for children - 2012
- Updated TGA advice about Pneumovax 23 revaccination
- Rotavirus vaccination and intussception
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)
| Strengthening Childhood Immunisation Initiative | |||||||||||||||||
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The Government is introducing reforms to Australia’s childhood immunisation arrangements that aim to increase the immunisation rates of Australian children over time. These changes mean:
To download a factsheet visit http://immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/factsheet-strengthening-immunisation |
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| Pertussis (Whooping Cough) | |||||||||||||||||
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| Influenza Vaccination for children - 2012 | |||||||||||||||||
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During the 2010 influenza season an excess number of febrile reactions and febrile convulsions occurred in children under 5 years of age following immunisation with one of the registered seasonal trivalent influenza vaccines, Fluvax. Consequently, in 2011 the TGA recommended that only Influvac and Vaxigrip vaccines be used in children under the age of 5 years. For more information visit http://www.tga.gov.au/safety/alerts-medicine-seasonal-flu-120206.htm |
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| Updated TGA advice about Pneumovax 23 revaccination | |||||||||||||||||
The TGA is advising that revaccination with Pneumovax 23 can be undertaken in accordance with the approved Product Information (PI). In summary, revaccination:
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| Rotavirus vaccination and intussception | |||||||||||||||||
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Rotavirus vaccine has been included on the National Immunisation Program schedule since 1 July 2007. RotaTeq® is an oral vaccine. There is no catch up for this vaccination. It is important that the following schedule is adhered to for administering RotaTeq®
* The upper age limit for receipt of the first dose of Rotateq is 12.9 weeks, that is up to the anniversary of the 13th week of age. The 2nd dose of vaccine should preferably be given by 28 weeks of age to allow for minimum interval of 4 weeks prior to receipt of 3rd dose, and the upper age limit for either the second or third doses is 32.9 weeks, that is by the anniversary of the 33rd week. Click here for information on rotavirus vaccination and intussusception. For more detailed information on rotavirus vaccines refer to the National Centre for Immunisation Research & Surveillance factsheet at www.ncirs.usyd.edu.au There is evidence regarding the rotavirus vaccines used in Australia, Rotarix® and RotaTeq®, and a small risk of increased intussusception. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation and the Therapeutic Goods Administration have reviewed the evidence and recommend that both vaccines continue to be used in Australia. |
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| National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) | |||||||||||||||||
| The NCIRS has recently launched their new website at www.ncirs.edu.au This site provides useful resources for immunisation service providers, patients and anyone working in the area of immunisation. Chain of Protection website at www.chainofprotection.org.au |
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Resources
- Australian Childhood Immunisation Register
- Data Logging for Vaccine Fridges
- General Practice Immunisation Incentives Scheme
- Immunise Australia Program
- Immunisation Catch-up
- Immunisation: Recording, Reporting & Rates - Division Support Kit
- Immunisation Saves Lives Logo
- Influenza
- Multiple Injection Sites
- National Immunisation Program - Queensland
- Queensland Health Immunisation Program- Resources for providers
- Practice Nurses and Immunisation
- Queensland Health School Based Vaccination Program (SBVP)
- Ten tips on evaluating immunisation information & useful websites
- The KISS guide to vaccine management (cold chain management)
- The National HPV Vaccination Program
| Immunisation: Recording, Reporting & Rates - Division Support Kit (September 2009) |
This kit has been developed to support division immunisation program staff with the data management aspects of immunisation both in divisions and in general practice.
The ACIR32A database is for division staff only and enables them to produce a 12 month report/letter for their GPII-registered practices using the ACIR32A report. This report/letter details for practices their coverage rates and payments over a 12 month period.
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| Multiple Injection Sites |
| Click on links below to download and print pictorial resource showing sites for childhood immunisation: |
| Immunisation Saves Lives Logo |
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| National Immunisation Program - Queensland |
| http://www.health.qld.gov.au/immunisation/ |
| Queensland Health Immunisation Program- Resources for providers |
| http://www.health.qld.gov.au/immunisation/publications_fs/pamphlets.asp For Queensland Health Publications call 07 3234 1053. |
| Immunisation Catch-up |
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The Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th edition 2008 states that: Every opportunity should be taken to review an individual’s vaccination history and, based on documentation, administer the appropriate vaccine(s). If the individual has not received vaccines scheduled in the National Immunisation Program appropriate for his/her age, plan and document a catch-up schedule and discuss this with the individual. The assessment of vaccination status should be based on the schedule for the State/Territory in which the individual is residing. The objective of catch-up vaccination is to complete a course of vaccination and provide optimal protection as quickly as possible. For information on assessing and planning a catch up schedule refer to the Handbook - Section 1.3.5 Catch-up (updated July 2009) at www.immunise.health.gov.au The following resources have been developed to also assist immunisation providers with catch up schedules:
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| The KISS guide to vaccine management (cold chain management) |
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| Data Logging for Vaccine Fridges |
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The following resources have been developed to assist with data logging policy and procedures. |
| Immunise Australia Program |
| Immunise Australia Program at www.immunise.health.gov.au aims to increase national immunisation rates by funding free vaccination programs, administering the Australian Childhood Immunisation register and communicating information about immunisation to the general public and health professionals. Information line - 1800 671 811 |
| Australian Childhood Immunisation Register |
| In 1996, the Federal Government established the ACIR in response to the low rates of immunisation and the rise in vaccine-preventable childhood diseases. Immunisation service providers send immunisation data to the ACIR for all children resident in Australia up to seven years of age at www.medicareaustralia.gov.au. By collecting immunisation details of all Australian children the ACIR can monitor overall coverage rates both nationally and locally, as well as identify areas with low coverage rates. Statistical information on immunisation coverage rates can be accessed at www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/patients/acir/statistics.jsp |
| General Practice Immunisation Incentives Scheme |
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GPII enquiry line 1800 246 101 The General Practice Immunisation Incentives (GPII) Scheme was introduced in 1998 to support the central role GPs play in preventive health care through immunisation. |
| Queensland Health School Based Vaccination Program |
| Coordinated by Queensland Health, the School Based Vaccination Program (SBVP) at www.health.qld.gov.au/school_vaccination provides parents with the opportunity to have their children vaccinated through their school. The National Health and Medical Research Council recommend various vaccines for children of secondary school age to protect them through to adulthood. The Program operates in all state and non state schools.
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| The National HPV Vaccination Program |
| Since 1 January 2010 HPV vaccine has been funded for girls in Year 8 through the school based vaccination program. Any females requesting HPV vaccination who are not in Year 8 will need to purchase the vaccine privately. Practices should check VIVAS records before vaccinating any girls who may have missed the vaccination in Year 8. Qld Health Immunisation Program will not supply HPV vaccine unless practices provide details on the patient’s name, date of birth and Year level at school. Vaccine: Gardasil® is a quadrivalent human papillomavirus (types 6, 11, 16, 18) recombinant vaccine. Gardasil PI has been updated to include approval for vaccination for women aged from 12 to 45 years. Please note the funded vaccine is only available to females aged 12 to 26 years of age. Administration: 3 doses administered intramuscularly with the first dose at an elected date, second dose 2 months later and third dose 6 months from the first dose. Visit the National HPV Register at www.hpvregister.org.au with information specific to health professionals at www.hpvregister.org.au/health-professionals.aspx The objectives of the register are to:
As HPV data will be sent via VIVAS, it is important that consent is also received for patient data to be sent to the Register. To enable this, practices can either:
HPV Vaccination & Pap Smears:
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| Influenza |
The Influenza Specialists Group (ISG) at www.influenzaspecialistgroup.org.au which consists of medical and scientific specialists from around Australia and New Zealand with an interest in influenza. Immunise Australia program at www.immunise.health.gov.au |
For more information
Please contact Sabrina Ostowari at sostowari@gpqld.com.au

