Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) data suggests that only 36% of people aged 70+ living in the central and eastern Sydney PHN region are immunised against Pneumococcal diseases.
Immunisation providers are reminded to check AIR immunisation history statements of patients going into Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) and of current residents to ensure they are up to date with all recommended vaccinations including Pneumococcal, COVID-19, Influenza and Zoster.
If you need assistance in how to access AIR immunisation history statements via practice management software please contact us.
The new “Shield yourself from shingles” resource collection contains factsheets, brochures, and posters about shingles vaccinations for eligible people.
Factsheets
First Nations people aged 50 and over – Brochures and posters
People aged 65 and over – Brochures and posters
Recordings of the NCIRS webinar ‘New shingles vaccine on the NIP’ are now available.
A knowledgeable panel of domestic and international experts presented and answered questions on topics including the disease burden of shingles in Australia, details about Shingrix®, including clinical trial results and mechanism of protection, and the new Australian shingles program, including eligibility for NIP-funded vaccination.
NCIRS has released a new shingles FAQs digital resource that provides answers to over 20 common questions about shingles, including:
The resource includes the latest information about Shingrix® (and its predecessor on the NIP, Zostavax®), and gives a detailed description of NIP eligibility as well as an overview of shingles disease.
AusVaxSafety is conducting enhanced active surveillance of Shingrix® across Australia to provide reassurance that the short-term safety profile of the vaccine is consistent with previous data.
Shingrix® vaccine safety data will be published on the AusVaxSafety website and updated monthly once enough data are collected to allow meaningful analysis.
COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Error (VAE) reporting form
Vaccine providers can now report a COVID-19 vaccine administration error using the new VAE reporting form.
NSW Health have cautioned GPs that whooping cough infection is starting to increase in NSW and GPs should order a PCR test for people with clinical features of pertussis, even if fully vaccinated. If pertussis is suspected, ask the patient to avoid contact with babies and pregnant women while the result is pending.
Ensure that all patients are up to date with recommended vaccinations; this is especially important for:
| HealthPathways provides health professionals in CESPHN with access to up-to-date clinical information and resources to support assessment, management, and referral of their patients. For more information visit the Pertussis (Whooping Cough) pathway: | |
| HealthPathways – South Eastern Sydney | Contact SESLHD team for login details. |
| HealthPathways – Sydney | Contact SLHD team for login details. |
| Workshop: Overseas Encounters and Catch Ups REGISTER | This webinar will workshop two scenarios of translating overseas vaccination records and developing catch-up schedules. Catch up planning will include both paper-based method and online calculator method. Date: Thursday 30 November Time: 8.00pm – 9.00pm |
| Webinar: 2023 Shingles Update REGISTER | This webinar will discuss the latest on shingles epidemiology, changes to the National Immunisation Program schedule and more. Date: Wednesday 15 November Time: 6.00pm to 7.00pm |
| Webinar: RSV disease and prevention REGISTER | This webinar will provide an update on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) burden of disease and discuss the possible impact of prevention. Date: Tuesday 12 December Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm |
In case you missed anything, catch up on the latest immunisation news:
| Shingrix® vaccine restrictions | NSW Health advised that Shingrix® vaccine ordering will be restricted during the initial roll out of the program until early 2024. |
| Shingrix® ordering | Providers can place orders for NIP Shingrix® vaccine via the NSW Vaccine Centre portal starting Monday, 30 Oct 2023. |
| Shingrix® | From 1 Nov 2023, Shingrix® will replace Zostavax® on the NIP and will be funded for 65+ years, First Nations 50+ years and immunocompromised 18+ years. |
| Zostavax® | Zostavax® funding for people aged 71 to 79 years ends 31 October 2023 |
| Cold Chain Audit | From Oct 2023, CCM audits will commence for general practices and pharmacies administering NIP-funded vaccines. |
| Cold Chain Breach (CCB) | From Aug 2023, SESLHD will only accept online CCB reporting form. |
| Nurse Scholarship | Limited scholarships available for Authorised Nurse Immuniser course. |
Access to the most recent information is essential, as immunisation advice is updated regularly:
| Whooping Cough Day Nov 2023 | Whooping Cough Day campaign resources about whooping cough and simple ways that people can remain protected. |
| Adult vaccinations – NIP Factsheet Nov 2023 | Consumer factsheet about free adult vaccines available on the NIP. |
| Adult vaccinations – NIP Brochure Nov 2023 | Consumer brochure about free adult vaccines available on the NIP. |
| Shingles – Health professionals’ kit Nov 2023 | Shingles communication resource kit for health – includes email examples, social media content and talking points for practice staff. |
| Shield yourself from shingles – Fact sheet Nov 2023 | Consumer factsheet about the shingles vaccine. |
| Shield yourself from shingles – Fact sheet – First Nations Nov 2023 | Factsheet for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about the shingles vaccine. |
| NSW Immunisation Schedule Oct 2023 | The NSW Immunisation Schedule was updated October 2023 to include NIP funded Shingrix®. Order here |
| Shingrix® program advice Oct 2023 | Factsheet for vaccination providers about the Shingrix program. |
| Multiple childhood vaccinations Sept 2023 | NCIRS poster affirming the safety of children receiving more than one vaccine at the same time. Order here |
| Health Professionals’ Kit – Childhood Immunisation Aug 2023 | This health professionals kit designed to support conversations with parents and carers about childhood immunisation. |
| Childhood injection sites poster June 2023 | Poster for vaccination providers – illustrates recommended sites for childhood vaccinations in NSW. Order here |
COVID-19 vaccination advice is updated regularly, links to the most up-to-date information are listed below:
| COVID-19 vaccine CCB reporting form Oct 2023 | This form is to help vaccine providers report a potential cold chain breach under the COVID-19 vaccination program. |
| AIR042A COVID-19 report Oct 2023 | eLearning module and Simulation video for Health Professionals on accessing the AIR042A COVID-19 vaccination report feature from AIR. |
| COVID-19 Vaccine Reference Guide Oct 2023 | This guide contains information on storage, handling and administration of COVID-19 vaccines. |
| COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program (CVTP) Oct 2023 | This document contains all 18 modules of the former CVTP and their associated resources. |
| COVID-19 handbook chapter Oct 2023 | Chapter for COVID-19 in the Australian Immunisation Handbook 19 now live. |
| COVID-19 recommended doses Oct 2023 | Flowchart outlines ATAGI recommended doses by age and risk factors. |
| COVID-19 comparison poster Oct 2023 | Poster outlines key differences between each COVID-19 vaccine available in Australia. |
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