Immunisation

GPNNT’s Immunisation Program, in line with the National Immunisation Program, aims to improve the quality and coverage of immunisation in the Northern Territory (NT) and reduce the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases. To achieve this, GPNNT represents and supports urban, rural and remote immunisation providers in the non-Government sector across the NT.
 

• Provide assistance with implementing best practice immunisation guidelines as per the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
• Provide information, education, resources, advice and support.
• Collaborate with immunisation providers to improve immunisation service delivery.
• Provide assistance with cold chain monitoring and vaccine management, with reference to the Strive for 5 The National Vaccine Storage Guidelines: Strive for 5.
  
  

Announcements

HPV Immunisation Program Extended to Include Boys.

The Australian Government Minister of Health has announced fuinding for an extension to the HPV Immunisation Program to include boys. Please see the Immunise Australia website for the press release and more information on this extension. Information about the timing and implementation of this vaccine program across Australia (and the Northern Territory) will be sent on when available.

Vaccine Usage and Wastage Audit, 1 July-31 August 2012.

• Vaccine Usage and Wastage Memorandum - Department of Health
  
• Vaccine Usage and Wastage Report - Department of Health
  

Childhood Influenza Vaccine Reminder for Immunisation Providers.

Following a very recent, unfortunate situation where a young child was given Fluvax and subsequently suffered febrile convulsions, the Commonwealth Medical Officer has asked that the following advice be circulated to all providers of immunisations: Influenza Vaccine Reminder for Immunisation Providers, April 2012

Revised version of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice to immunisation providers regarding the administration of 2012 seasonal influenza vaccines.

The statement, available at http://www.immunise.health.gov.au, has been amended to include information about the concurrent administration of trivalent influenza vaccine and 13vPCV in children aged 6 months to less than 5 years. The statement notes the small increase in risk of fever/febrile convulsions associated with the concurrent administration of the two vaccines. Providers are advised that they should discuss this risk with parents and offer an option of administering these two vaccines separately (with an interval of at least three days).

The rationale for recommendations has been updated to include a reference to a study from the US Vaccine Safety Datalink surveillance system 'Signal identification and evaluation for risk of febrile seizures in children following trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in the Vaccine Safety Datalink Project, 2010-2011' Vaccine 2012.

2012 Influenza Immunisation Schedule

• 2012 Influenza Vaccination Program - Provider Letter
  
• 2012 Influenza Vaccination Program - Vaccination Record Form
  
• 2012 Influenza Vaccination Program - Vaccine Order Form
  
• 2012 Influenza Vaccination Program - Adult & Special Groups Vaccination Schedule
• NCIRS has produced a new influenza fact sheet which is now available on the NCIRS Website.

Stronger Immunisation Incentives for Families 2012

• Media Release Stronger Immunisation Incentives
  
• Strengthening Immunisation for Children Fact Sheet
  
• FAQ's - Changes to National Immunisation Schedule and Related Payments

Changes to 2011 NT Childhood Immunisation Schedule

• 2011 NT Childhood Immunisation Schedule Change - Memo for Providers
• 2011 NT Childhood Immunisation Schedule Change - Revised Vaccination Schedule
• 2011 NT Childhood Immunisation Schedule Change - Vaccine Order Form 

The Q Fever website is now live at www.csl.com.au
The website is password protected and can be accessed through Username: QVAXHCP and Password: QFever2011 (please note, both are case sensitive). The website contains the following information for healthcare professionals:

• General information on Q Fever (including disease symptoms, transmission etc)
• Tips (and phtos) on how to administer the skin test
• Interpretation of serology and skin test results
• The educational DVD (featuring Dr Krys Szatsznajder)
• The PDF of the Q Fever handbook "A Guide to Q Fever and Q Fever vaccination"
• The Q Fever CMI
• The Q Fever PI

Pertussis

From 1 March 2011 all fathers and carers of newborn infants can now receive the free Diptheria Tetanus Pertussis vaccine any time from the mother’s 28^th week (i.e. 3^rd trimester) of pregnancy until the infant is 7 months of age. Previously this vaccine was only available after the birth of the child.

Further information:

• 2011 Pertussis Vaccine Program for Fathers and Carers - Provider Letter
• 2011 Pertussis Vaccine Program for Fathers and Carers - Pamphlet

National Resources

• ACIR Online
• AGPN’s Primary Source Immunisation News (formerly Finer Point)
  
• Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition
  
• GPII Scheme
  
• Immunise Australia Program
  
• Medicare Australia
  
• Immunisation website references
• Influenza Specialist Group

Immunisation in the NT

• NT Childhood Immunisation Internet Site Information Sheet and Registration Form
  
• Frequently required Immunisation forms for recording and reporting immunisation details, Department of Health and Families
  
• Adult Schedule, NT Government Department of Health and Families, January 2012
• Centre for Disease Control, Immunisation Update, February 2010
• Childhood vaccination Schedule October 2011
• Human Paplilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine DVD, NT Government Department of health and Families
• Whole of NT Vaccine Order Form 2011 for National immunisation program (funded) vaccines 
  
  

GPNNT Resources

• GPNNT's updated 'Immunisation for All' resource is now available. Please download Immunisation for All resource (PDF 36.9MB) or request a hard copy including DVD with new Yolungu Matha language via contact details below.
  
• When do children need their vaccinations? poster with information for parents. This poster provides vaccination information for children aged 0-4 years and is designed to ensure children are fully immunised before starting school. The A3 poster can be printed for display in clinics.
• A folder of information about Vaccination Fridge monitoring is available form the GPNNT Immunisation Team via contact details below.
• The Side Effects of Immunisation in Pictures is also available from the GPNNT Immunisation team as well as a wall chart. Please note the link provided is a sample only and not suitable for printing. Also available as tear-off sheets in A4 pads.
  
• Vaccine fridge monitoring graphs that can be printed; Once a Day Graph or Twice a Day Graph

Contact
For further information please contact:

Alice Springs: Prue Crouch, Immunisation Team Leader/SBO Immunisation on 8950 4887/0408 793 868 or prue.crouch@gpnnt.org.au

Darwin: Hayley Potten, Immunisation Project Officer on 08 8982 1044 or hayley.potten@gpnnt.org.au