Immunisation Services

Project Officer: Lisa Maude
Phone: 8752 4902

The CSGPN Immunisation Project supports general practices in the CSGPN area to:

1. maintain high standards of cold-chain management to ensure vaccine efficacy.
2. deliver immunisation services in accordance with the Australian Standard Immunisation Schedule and current national and state best-practice guidelines.
3. adopt a sustainable approach to reporting to the Australian Childhood Immunistion Register (ACIR).
4. optimise child immunisation coverage rates.
5. optimise access to the general practice immunisation incentives (GPII) scheme.

The immunisation project officer is available to provide phone support and practice visits as required. You can contact Lisa Maude on 8752 4902. For specific clinical enquires please contact the Immunisation Coordinator, Fiona Steele at the SLHN Public Health Unit: 9515 9425.

The Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule

• NSW Immunisation Schedule
• NSW Vaccine Order Form
• The Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition (provides the most current NHMRC guidelines on provision of immunisations in Australia)

The General Practice Immunisation Incentive Scheme (GPII)

Outline of GPII
If your practice is not accredited you are still eligible to receive GPII. The same application form is used for both the GPII scheme and the Practice Incentive Program (PIP). However applicants can use the form to apply for the GPII scheme only.

To obtain an application form contact the PIP enquiry line: 1800 222 032.
For further information on GPII contact Lisa Maude at CSGPN: 8752 4902 or visit the Medicare Australia website.

Improving immunisation coverage

CSGPN monitors the percentage of children in the division and in individual practices who have received all required immunisations according to the Australian Standard Immunisation Schedule. Rates are calculated quarterly according to data supplied to the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register. We aim to improve the immunisation coverage rate across CSGPN to more than 90%.

CSGPN Go for 90! Pilot Project evaluation report

CSGPN supports practices to improve their immunisation coverage rates by providing onsite visits to:

1. discuss ways that reporting to the ACIR can be streamlined in an individual practice.
2. train GPs and practice staff to use the ACIR secure internet site to report immunisations.
3. discuss systems for identification and recall of children who are overdue for immunisation.

To request any of these services contact Lisa Maude on 8752 4902.

Reporting immunisations to ACIR

The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (the ACIR) is a national register administered by Medicare Australia that records details of vaccinations given to children under seven years of age who live in Australia. It was established in 1996 in response to a decline in childhood immunisation in Australia and an increase in preventable childhood diseases.

Immunisations can be reported to ACIR manually using paper immunisation encounter forms or electronically through a number of different methods. CSGPN can provide advice on what method reporting would best suit your practice.

• ACIR Secure Site Login Flow chart

Further information on ACIR, including all relevant forms, are available on the Medicare Australia website.

Cold chain and vaccine storage

Vaccines should be stored in the range +2 to +8 degrees celsius. In general practice this usually involves:

1. purchase and maintenance of an appropriate refrigerator for storage of vaccine.
2. installation of a temperature probe within the fridge and daily monitoring and recording of the fridge temperature.
3. staff taking appropriate and timely action in the event that the fridge temperature is shown to be outside the recommended temperature range.

CSGPN supports general practices to maintain the cold chain through:

1. onsite visits on request to conduct an audit of practice cold chain procedures.
2. data logging of vaccine fridges.
3. provision of reliable thermometers and vaccine fridge logbooks.
4. advice and support in the event of a cold-chain failure.

• RACGP standard 5.3.2: Vaccine potency
• National Vaccine Storage Guidelines
• Purpose-built vaccine fridges
• Vaccine fridge logbook

Websites for health professionals

• Information regarding HPV and other school based immunisation programs
• Australian Childhood Immunisation Register
• General Practice Immunisation Incentives Scheme (GPII)
• Immunise Australia Program
• Immunisation catchup calculator (SA Department of Health)
• NSW Health Immunisation Program
• MMR Decision Aid
• RACGP standard on vaccine potency
• National HPV Register
• Chain of protection online video avaiable from NCIRS
• Blue Card for reporting adverse reactions

Websites for Parents

• Immunise Australia Program
• Immunisation: Myths and Realities
• MMR Decision Aid
• National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)
• Vaccine side effects

Websites for Travellers

• HealthMap
• Travel Doctor: My Travel Health Planner
• SmarTraveller
• WHO International Travel and Health
• CDCTraveller’s Health
• My Vaccination
• MASTA