Immunisation

 

 Immunisation


Overview

The Hawkesbury-Hills Division of General Practice Immunisation Program has an overall goal of improving immunisation rates across the Division. Our aim is to assist practices achieve and maintain immunisation coverage rates of 90% or higher.
The focus of the immunisation program is to support and encourage participation of general practitioners in the General Practice Immunisation Incentive (GPII) scheme as part of the National Immunisation Program.
The HHDGP also has a strong focus on providing GPs and practice staff with a high level of education regarding Cold Chain Management.
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General Practice Immunisation Incentive Scheme

What is GPII?

  • The General Practice Immunisation Incentives (GPII) scheme provides financial incentives to General Practitioners (GPs) who monitor, promote and provide immunisation services to children under the age of seven years.
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The GPII scheme is made up of two components:

  •  An Outcomes Payment-$ 6.00 for each age based vaccination schedule that is reported to ACIR
  • Outcomes Bonus Payment $3.50 for each Whole Patient Equivalent (WPE) if the practice coverage rate is least 90% and the WPE is at least 10.
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Improving Immunisation coverage rates

Rates are calculated quarterly according to data supplied to the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register. We aim to improve the immunisation coverage rates across Hawkesbury-Hills to greater than 90%.
HHDGP supports practices in improving their immunisation coverage rates by providing practice visits to:
1. Educate GPs and practice staff on how to use the ACIR secure internet site to report immunisations.
2. Data cleaning & educating staff on how to maintain Immunisation practice data.

Click here if you would like to download information on how to increase childhood immunisation coverage rates in your practice. GPs and practice staff also have access to ACIR information maintained by Medicare Australia. Click here if you require further information on ACIR, including all related forms, requesting access to the ACIR secure site and the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register.

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Vaccine Management (Cold Chain)

Cold Chain is the process of transporting and storing vaccines within the safe temperature range of 2 - 8 degrees from the place of manufacture to the point of administration.

Management of the cold chain within your practice is vital to ensure the effectiveness of the vaccines. The vaccines must be stored between 2-8 degrees.

All GP’s and practice staff should be familiar with the current National Vaccine Storage Guidelines "STRIVE FOR 5". Click here to download the  "STRIVE FOR 5" guidelines, and click here to download the Australian Immunisation 9th Edition Handbook. 

The Division can assist practices with Cold Chain Management. Please contact your practice support officer for further information or to make an appointment for an onsite visit regarding the following:

  • Data Logging Vaccine Fridges
  • Maintaining the cold chain
  • Vaccine Storage Information
  • How to pack a vaccine fridge/ esky
  • Suppliers of min/max Thermometers
  • Purpose Built Fridge Information

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Immunisation Updates and News

 NSW Immunisation Schedule (issued in May 2012)

Click here to download the latest National Immuinsation Schedule. 
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NSW Health Vaccine Order Form

Click here to download the "vaccine order form" to order and/or replenish vaccine stocks and refer to the NSW Health Department. 
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Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Program (HPV)

School-based program
 
HPV vaccine is provided by the National Immunisation Program Schedule to 12-13 year old girls in the first year of secondary school. Consent is required from parents/carers before the vaccine can be given.
Immunisation against HPV is achieved using single-disease vaccines. A course of three doses of vaccine is given, usually over a 6 month period.
Medical recommendations, including dosage instructions, administration and contraindications of the vaccine can be found in the HPV section of the Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2008 (NHMRC).
Catch-up program (Now ceased)
The catch up program was made up of two components; a school-based program and a community-based program.
The school-based catch-up program for 12-13 to 18 year old girls ceased at the end of the school year in 2008.
HPV vaccine under the community-based catch-up program was available through general practice and community immunisation services for 13 to 26 year old women. The community-based catch-up program finished on 31 December 2009.

HPV Resources

Click here to download "HPV Question & Answers" predominantly for the school based program.  Please be advised that date-related information included in this document is obsolete.

Please contact your Practice Support Officer at the Division if you require additional information and/or support in this area.  
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The Australian Immunisation 9th Edition Handbook

Click here to review or download the Australian Immunisation 9th Edition Handbook. 
                                         

Immunisation Myths and Realities: Responding to arguments against Immunisation 4th edition

Click here to download.
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Websites for Health Professionals

• Immunise Australia  www.immunise.health.gov.au/

• Australian Childhod Immunisation Register www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/

• National Centre for Immunisation Research &Surveillance www.ncirs.usyd.edu.au/

• NSW Health www.health.nsw.gov.au/living/immunisation/immunise_prog/index.html

• Sydney West Area Health www.swahs.nsw.gov.au/

• The National HPV  Vaccination Program www.health.gov.au/

• Royal Austalian College of General Practice - Standard on Vaccine Potency www.racgp.org.au

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Last Updated 21/10/10