Immunisation

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About Immunisation Updates Contacts

Overview

The National Immunisation Program (NIP) was established in 1997 through the Immunise Australia: Seven Point Plan after an Australian Bureau of Statistics survey in 1990 revealed that only 53% of children under four years of age were being fully immunised.

The initiatives included recognising a bigger role for General Practitioners’ as vaccine service providers as well as the monitoring and evaluation of immunisation targets through the establishment of the General Practice Immunisation Incentives (GPII), introduced to provide financial incentives to GP’s who provide age appropriate immunisation to children under seven years of age.

Divisions of General Practice also increased their involvement to ensure GP’s follow current immunisation protocols and that proper arrangements were in place for vaccine storage in general practice. The monitoring and evaluation of immunisation targets using data supplied by the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) was also introduced to encourage competition and inspire practices with low rates to improve their coverage.

These initiatives remain in place today and are supported by South East Alliance of General Practice (SEA-GP) who implements a range of initiatives that promote and support the NIP. The immunisation program in the Alliance focuses on the following areas:

  • Implementing the Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule (ASVS) by providing high level practice support focusing on cold chain maintenance, data cleansing, resources and information
  • Monitoring and increasing practice participation in the GPII Scheme and other local and national programs
  • Collaborates with other key stakeholders (Population Health Units, Queensland Health Immunisation Program, GPQ, Local Councils and other vaccine service providers) to ensure timely and accurate information to General Practice.
  • Monitoring the performance of individual practices through ACIR data to identify those with low immunisation coverage rates.
  • These rates affect the overall coverage rate of the Division and therefore our national ranking Promoting the uptake of electronic transfer of immunisation records (where applicable) to ACIR

Objectives

The immunisation program has two main objectives:

  • To support General Practice to implement the NIP in accordance with the Australian Immunisation Handbook, 9th Edition 2008 and current ASVS
  • To support practices to reach and maintain a coverage rate of greater than 90% childhood immunisation according to GPII statistics

Program Details

The key participants in the immunisation program are:

  • General Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Practice Managers and Practice Staff

The key stakeholders in the immunisation program are:

  • General Practice Queensland (GPQ)
  • Brisbane South Population Health Unit (BSPHU)
  • Queensland Health Immunisation Program (QHIP)
  • Australian General Practice Network (AGPN)

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Immunisation Updates

Latest updates:


Updated Annual Seasonal Funded Influenza Program 2010 schedule (8/3/2010)    

New Advice for VSP
Letter
Flu Data Sheet
QHIP Order Form

 Seasonal Flu Schedule 2010
Vaccine Request Form
Flu Flyer Orders

Immunisation catch-up pack (23/11/2009)
Info

Advice from the Therapeutic Goods Admin. - HPV (GARDASIL) (25/08/2009)
Info

Free Pertussis Vaccine Program (09/09/2009)
Pertussis - Qld Health Communique
Letter to VSPs...
Data collection sheet...
Nicola Roxon media release...

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Contacts

  • General Practice Immunisation Incentives (GPII) - 1800 246 101
  • Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) - 1800 653 809
  • To order ACIR stationery - 1800 815 664
  • VIVAS - 3234 1500
  • AGPAL - 1300 362 111
  • Medicare - 132 011

 

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Immunisation

Immunisation Updates
Immunise Australia - the Immunise Australia website is your portal to info about immunisation and vaccine management.
Immunisation is Important for Children


Resources for Vaccine Management in case of POWER OUTAGE

Bureau of Meteorology Storm Warnings
Energex unplanned power disruptions
Brisbane City Council Early Warning Alert Service
Storm Warning Information
Vaccine management


Schedules

National Immunisation Program, Queensland Schedule
National Immunisation Schedule for Adults and Children 
Picture version NIPS Qld -1 September 2010
WHO International Immunisation Schedules


Catch-up Pack

VSP Catch Up Pack August 2011
Refugee - VSP Catch Up Pack August 2011
Catch Up Calculator
Pre vaccination assessment and consent
Recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis
Eligibility for funded vaccines
Indigenous catch-up pack


Practice Resources

Refugee Immunisation Data Capture
Brochure version of parent pertussis vaccination
Poster version of parent pertussis vaccination
Updated Immunisation is Important brochure
Deciding to vaccinate your children
Common questions
Doing further research
Immunisation: Recording, Reporting & Rates - A step by step guide for Practice staff (Sept 10)
Multiple immunisation site poster-Immunisation injection site
Indigenous - Multiple Immunisation site poster-Immunisation injection site
GPQ Bravery Certificate
Common Observed Reactions to Vaccines
GPQ (formerly QDGP) immunisation links and resources
Vaccine management
Storm Warning Information
TIME OUT (A3 Poster) (Queensland Health)
Adverse Event Following Immunisation - Initial Report
Practice Nurse info about immunising, General Practice Queensland
Foreign language terms for vaccines, Queensland Health
Communicable Diseases Control Manual
Influenza: Keeping healthy
Notifiable Conditions Report Form


Recall Resources

4 year old Birthday Card resource
*Please call SEA-GP for colour printing


Reporting and Claiming

General Practice Immunisation Incentive scheme (GPII)
ACIR publications and guides
ACIR Forms
GPII Incentives and allowances forms


Vaccine Management

The National Vaccine Storage Guidelines: Strive-4-five.pdf
The Australian Immunisation Handbook, 9th ed, 2008
Australian Childhood Immunisation Register, Medicare Australia
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
KISS Guide to Vaccine Management - These resources including a handy flipchart, DVD and templates were developed by General Practice Queensland to assist you to implement best practice guidelines.

Vaccine fridges

Refer to the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines - Strive for 5 for information about suitable types of refrigerators including domestic and purpose built. Distributors of specially designed pharmaceutical fridges:

How to Pack a Vaccine Fridge
Vaccine refrigerator Q&As (PDF Format; 66kb]
Lists manufacturer responses to frequently asked questions about Vaccine refrigerators


Individual Immunisation Programs

Pertusis - funded vaccine for new parents Aug 2009


National HPV Program


Rotavirus


Meningococcal Disease

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Useful Websites

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)
Royal Collage of General Practitioners (RACGP)
QIP/AGPAL
Immunise Australia Program
The Australian Immunisation Handbook, 9th Edition 2008
National vaccine storage guidelines: Strive for 5, Version 1, 2005
Medicare Australia – General Practice Immunisation Incentives Program
Medicare Australia – ACIR for Health Care Providers
Queensland Health – Communicable Diseases Unit
Health Insite – Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases
chainofprotection.org

 

International Links and Resources

World Health Organisation – Immunisation
World Health Organisation – Immunisation, Vaccines and Biological Document Centre
Department of Health and Human Services – Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
NHS UK – Immunisation for Life

 

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