GPQ Programs

General Practice Queensland

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Immunisation

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 General Practice Queensland (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 ATSI and ‘hard to reach’ groups.

Objectives

  • Support Queensland's divisions of general practice to achieve the aims of the National Immunisation Program
  • Activities aimed at increasing childhood immunisation rates through stakeholder engagement, strategies targeting hard-to-reach populations and continuing education and networking events for Queensland's divisions program staff
  • Continued enhancement of relationships with all stakeholders involved in immunisation service provision
  • Advocacy at a state and national level on immunisation issues relevant to Queensland's divisions of general practice

Program details

One of the key aspects of the Immunisation Program is to provide networking and educational opportunities for division immunisation program staff. 

To achieve this, two face to face workshops and approximately six teleconferences are held each year.

Please click here to download 2010 dates for the Queensland Immunisation Network.

Achievements

  1. Queensland Vaccine Management Project
  2. Queensland Vaccine Management Project Review
  3. Queensland Immunisation Data Project – Scoping Study
For further information regarding these projects and their outcomes, please contact Jane Sanders, Acting Team Leader - Programs on jsanders@gpqld.com.au

News

Expanded Influenza Vaccination Program (2010)

In November 2009, the Australian Government announced the expansion of the funded influenza program to include all those “medically at risk” from influenza. The following individuals aged 6 months to 64 years are now eligible to receive funded influenza vaccination (please refer to the Queensland Health schedule below for more details):

  • Pregnant women
  • Cardiac disease
  • Chronic respiratory disease
  • Chronic neurological conditions
  • Other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, renal failure
  • Impaired immunity
  • Children aged 6 months and over on long term aspirin therapy

The decision as to whether an individual patient has an eligible medical condition is a clinical one.

Immunisation providers should be guided by pages 190 to 192 in the Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition, which is accessible via the Immunise Australia website at www.immunise.health.gov.au 

The following resources have been developed by Queensland Health to support the implementation of the expanded influenza vaccination program:
Seasonal Influenza Vaccination and Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS)

Due to the expansion of the funded seasonal influenza vaccination program, flu vaccine is no longer listed on the PBS, people who were previously eligible for vaccine through the PBS  are now eligible for free vaccine under the NIP. This change aims to improve access to influenza vaccination for persons at increased risk of adverse consequences from influenza infection by making it easier to offer opportunistic vaccination. 

Vaccine may be given to residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities and homeless people as their prevalence of underlying medical conditions and their living situations predispose them to complications from influenza.

Commonwealth Government seasonal influenza resources:
Influenza - Useful links

The National Institute of Clinical Studies (NICS) has developed the “Fight Flu” campaign at www.fightflu.gov.au to provide facts about influenza and dispel the myths around influenza vaccination.  It is a useful education tool for consumers and health professionals. Did you know?

  • Over 1,500 Australians die each year from complications caused by influenza.
  • Less than half the people most at risk of developing life threatening complications from influenza are being vaccinated annually.
  • Only 20-50% of health care workers are being vaccinated. Their occupations put them at risk of either getting or spreading influenza.
  • Influenza is not a cold. It is a highly contagious disease that kills the same number of people who die on our roads each year.

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 - follow links to “Diseases & Programs A – Z"
H1N1 National Vaccination Program
GPQ has been maintaining two dedicated webpages to accommodate the continuing information being disseminated regarding the H1N1 pandemic:

Visit www.healthemergency.gov.au - The Australian Government's Health Emergency website for important information about pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza outbreaks in Australia. The guidance provided is based on current information and is subject to change based on ongoing surveillance and risk assessment.
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)
The NCIRS has recently launched their new website at www.ncirs.usyd.edu.au

This site provides useful resources for immunisation service providers, patients and anyone working in the area of immunisation.

Resources

Immunisation: Recording, Reporting & Rates - Division Support Kit (September 2009)

Immunising children on time and accurately reporting immunisation information to the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) and to Vaccination Information & Vaccination Administration System (VIVAS) is important because

  • Parents receive Centrelink payments based on the immunisation status of their children
  • Practices are paid financial incentives by the DoHA for reporting immunisation information to the ACIR and for the practice’s childhood immunisation coverage rate
  • The immunisation information practices sends to ACIR and VIVAS provides evidence about how well-protected the community is against vaccine-preventable disease
  • All divisions of general practice report their immunisation coverage rates to DoHA as part of their funding agreements.

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.

  • ACIR32A database - a users guide
  • ACIR32A database September 2009 - IMPORTANT: right click on this link and select “Save Target As…” Save file in appropriate location for future access.  Ensure file is saved as Microsoft Access Application.
Multiple Injection Sites
Click on links below to download and print pictorial resource showing sites for childhood immunisation:
  1. Multiple Injection Sites for Vaccination (September 2008)
  2. Multiple Injection Sites for Vaccination - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children (September 2008)
Immunisation Saves Lives Logo
  • Click here to download the Immunisation Saves Lives logo
National Immunisation Program - Queensland
Queensland Health resources for providers
For Queensland Health Publications call 07 3234 1053.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

The Australian Immunisation Handbook, 9th edition 2008 (p.232) recommends a booster dose of dTpa vaccine for the following groups:

  • Adults planning a pregnancy
  • Parents immediately post-delivery (preferably before hospital discharge)
  • Carers of young children, e.g. grandparents
  • Adults working with young children, especially child care workers
  • Any adult expressing an interest in receiving a booster dose

The only contraindications to acellular pertussis vaccines are:

  • Anaphylaxis following a previous dose of an acellular pertussis vaccine
  • Anaphylaxis following any vaccine component

Queensland Health Immunisation Program currently funds vaccination against whooping cough for all new parents of babies born from 1 May 2009.  New parents should speak to their GP about receiving this vaccination. Click here for Queensland Health advice about pertussis vaccination.

It is very important that parents and close family members are vaccinated against pertussis as in 50% of cases in infants, family members have been identified as the source of infection.  Data on duration of immunity is limited, although immunity to pertussis is likely to wane after 10 years and therefore booster doses may be beneficial after this time.

As per the National Immunisation Program in Queensland, dTpa (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis) is also funded for children in Year 10.

  • Click here for advice from Qld Health regarding change in supply of dTpa vaccine to general practice.
Rotavirus Vaccination

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®

  NO. OF DOSES AGE OF ROUTINE ADMINISTRATION AGE LIMITS FOR DOSING MINIMUM INTERVAL BETWEEN DOSES
1st Dose 2nd Dose 3rd Dose
ROTATEQ 3 ORAL DOSES
(2mL/dose)		 2,4 and 6 months 6-12* weeks 10-32* weeks 14-32* weeks 4 week

* 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.

For more detailed information on rotavirus vaccines refer to the National Centre for Immunisation Research & Surveillance factsheet at www.ncirs.usyd.edu.au

Divisions or practices requiring additional supplies of the CSL-developed Rotawheel resource please contact Inese Roach, Vaccine Account Representative, CSL Biotherapies at inese.roach@csl.com.au
Immunisation Catch-up 

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:
The KISS guide to vaccine management (cold chain management)
Data Logging for Divisions

The following resources have been developed for use by divisions to assist them with data logging.  The guidelines and the consent form are available in Word format to enable individual divisions to adapt the resources to their own needs.
NOTE:  When changing the resources please ensure that GPNSW is acknowledged as the original developer of the resources. 

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

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.

The GPII Scheme provides financial incentives to GPs who provide immunisation services to children under the age of seven years, according to the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

One of the primary aims of the GPII Scheme is to encourage at least 90% of practices to fully immunise 90% of children below seven years of age attending their practice.

Through Medicare Australia, the GPII Scheme provides statistical reports for both practices and divisions. These reports are a valuable tool that can be used to develop strategies aimed at increasing immunisation coverage rates for practices and for division program staff.  Practices can contact their local division for assistance and division program staff can contact the GPQ Immunisation Program.

Statistical information on the GPII scheme can be accessed at  www.medicareaustralia.gov.au
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.
  • Year 8 students are offered hepatitis B (2 doses), varicella (chickenpox) and HPV (3 doses) vaccination (girls only).
  • Year 10 students are offered tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccination.
The National HPV Vaccination Program
From 1 January 2010 HPV vaccine will only be 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.

Please click here for advice from Queensland Health on supply of vaccines for use in adolescents.

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:
  • Record vaccination doses and key demographic information
  • Provide system to support completion of 3 dose schedule
  • Manage processes of vaccination program (GP incentive payments)
  • Generate data to monitor and evaluate participation rates
  • Inform women if booster doses are required 
Obtaining Consent & Notifying VIVAS:
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:
  • Record the vaccination AND consent on their practice software and send to VIVAS for collection
  • Complete the Qld Health HPV Vaccination Encounter and the Register Consent Form and send to VIVAS.
Patients must consent to both vaccination and to having their data sent to the Register.  This consent must be collected for each vaccination encounter.

HPV Vaccination & Pap Smears:
Women vaccinated against HPV are still required to have regular Pap smears.  For more information: Cervical Screening Program

For more information

Please contact: Jane Sanders, Acting Team Leader - Programs on jsanders@gpqld.com.au



Together we can build a better health system

Last updated: 08/04/2010 Print this page