Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices - August 2020 - Murrumbidgee ...
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Immunisation
Toolkit for General
Practices
August 2020NSW Ministry of Health 1 Reserve Road ST LEONARDS NSW 2065 Tel. (02) 9391 9000 Fax. (02) 9391 9101 TTY. (02) 9391 9900 www.health.nsw.gov.au Produced by: NSW Ministry of Health This work is copyright. It may be reproduced in whole or in part for study or training purposes subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source. It may not be reproduced for commercial usage or sale. Reproduction for purposes other than those indicated above requires written permission from the NSW Ministry of Health. © NSW Ministry of Health 2020 SHPN (HP NSW) 200177 ISBN 978-1-76081-387-1 Further copies of this document can be downloaded from the NSW Health website www.health.nsw.gov.au August 2020
Contents
What the kit contains 4 7 Other vaccines 27
7.1 Q Fever 27
1 The NSW Immunisation Program 5 7.2 Yellow Fever 28
1.1 Roles and responsibilities 5
1.2 Staying up to date 6 8 Pharmacist Vaccinations 29
8.1 Vaccinations provided by
2 The NSW Immunisation Schedule 9 pharmacists 29
2.1 Recent changes to the
immunisation schedule 10 9 NSW Occupational Assessment,
Screening & Vaccination Policy
3 Recording Vaccinations 13 (Health Care Worker Policy) 30
3.1 The Blue Book 13
10 Vaccine Storage and Cold Chain
3.2 The Australian Immunisation Register 13
Management 31
4 Vaccination Programs 17 10.1 National Vaccine Storage Guidelines
‘Strive for 5’ 31
4.1 Childhood Vaccines 17
10.2 NSW Health Cold Chain Toolkit 31
4.2 Adolescent Vaccines 17
10.3 Safe Vaccine Storage Requirements 32
4.3 Catch-up Program for Individuals
10–19 years 17 10.4 Private Vaccine Scripts 32
4.4 Catch up vaccines for refugees 10.5 Managing cold chain breaches 32
and humanitarian entrants aged
20 years and over 18 11 NSW State Vaccine Centre 34
4.5 Influenza Vaccination Program 20 11.1 Applying for a Vaccine Account 34
11.2 Routine Vaccine Orders 34
5 Vaccines for Specific Groups 21 11.3 Authorised Provider Declaration 35
5.1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 11.4 Vaccine Deliveries 35
Populations 21 11.5 Change of address 36
5.2 Asplenic Patients 22 11.6 Ordering rabies vaccine for post-
5.3 Preterm Infants 22 exposure prophylaxis 36
5.4 Women Who Are Planning
Pregnancy and Pregnant Women 23 12 Vaccine Safety 37
5.5 Individuals with Medical 12.1 Talking to patients about vaccine
Risk Factors and/or safety 37
Immunocompromised 23 12.2 Vaccine safety surveillance 37
5.6 People at occupational risk 23 12.3 What is an Adverse Event Following
Immunisation (AEFI)? 38
6 Specific Vaccines 24 12.4 How to minimise the risk of an AEFI 39
6.1 Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis 12.5 Reporting an AEFI 39
Vaccine (DTPa/dTpa) 24
12.6 Specialist Immunisation
6.2 Pneumococcal vaccine (Prevenar 13 Services NSW 39
and Pneumovax 23) 24
12.7 Vaccination Administration Errors 40
6.3 Measles, Mumps Rubella (MMR) 25
12.8 Vaccine Safety Resources 40
6.4 Zoster (shingles) vaccine 25
6.5 Hepatitis B 26 13 Other resources 41
NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices 3What the kit contains
This Toolkit has been developed to support Over 90% of all childhood vaccinations in
general practices to implement the NSW NSW are given in general practices. Primary
Immunisation Program. The Toolkit includes health care professionals should take
information about: every opportunity to vaccinate children,
adolescents and adults on time and at the
• the NSW Immunisation Program
recommended intervals to ensure they
• the NSW Immunisation schedule and are protected against serious vaccine
recent changes preventable diseases. Health workers
• reporting to the Australian Immunisation play a critical role in shaping attitudes
Register(AIR) towards immunisation and maintaining high
vaccination coverage. It is essential that
• vaccine recommendations
immunisation providers stay up to date with
• cold chain management current issues in immunisation to provide
• vaccine safety and adverse accurate information to patients, and discuss
event reporting the risks and benefits of vaccination during
the consent process.
• vaccine ordering and management.
4 NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices1 The NSW Immunisation Program
The NSW Immunisation Program provides the community with protection
against vaccine preventable diseases through initiatives targeting
infants, adolescents, adults and at risk persons in line with the National
Immunisation Program.
1.1 Roles and responsibilities
Organisation/s Responsibilities
NSW Ministry Manages the NSW Immunisation Program, develops strategy and policy
of Health and provides surveillance and analysis of vaccine preventable diseases.
Website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation
Public Health Units Assists with state and National Immunisation Program (NIP) funded
vaccine management queries including breaches in cold chain, adverse
events following immunisation, the school-based vaccination program,
and requests for immunisation related information and advice.
Phone: 1300 066 055
Website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/Pages/phus.aspx
National Centre Provides policy and planning advice, supports initiatives including
for Immunisation disease surveillance, vaccine coverage and immunisation adverse
Research and events. NCIRS also conducts an extensive program of clinical trials and
Surveillance epidemiologic research funded by diverse sources.
(NCIRS) Website: www.ncirs.org.au
State Vaccine Stores and distributes vaccines available under the National
Centre Immunisation Program (NIP) to immunisation providers in NSW.
Phone: 1300 656 132
Website: https://nsw.tollhealthcare.com
Primary Health Not for profit organisation funded by the Australian Government that
Networks (NSW) provides direct support to general practices and allied health providers
in NSW across a range of issues including to support the quality of
vaccination services in general practice.
If you are not sure which Primary Health Network you belong to:
Email: phn@health.gov.au
Website: www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/
phn-maps-nsw
NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices 51.2 Staying up to date
1.2.1 Key Immunisation Resources
Resource Description
NSW Health Up to date immunisation information and resources, alerts and advice
Immunisation about the NSW Immunisation Program.
webpage Website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation
The Australian A comprehensive guide developed by the Australian Technical Advisory
Immunisation Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) providing clinical advice for health
Handbook professionals on the safest and most effective use of vaccines in their
(digital version or practice.
phone app) Website: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au
Handbook App: The mobile application is known as the Australian
Immunisation Handbook App (or the Handbook App for short) and can
be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
National Outlines the basic principles for safe and effective vaccine management
Vaccine Storage within cold chain (+2°-+8° C).
Guidelines Website: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-vaccine-
‘Strive for 5’ storage-guidelines-strive-for-5
(3rd edition)
NSW Cold Chain Practical guidance on mandatory vaccine storage and cold chain
Toolkit requirements in NSW.
Website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Documents/cold-chain-
toolkit.pdf
Save the Date The Save the Date to Vaccinate app allows parents to stay up to date with
to Vaccinate— their child’s vaccinations. Once the app is downloaded, the app will create
immunisation app the recommended immunisation schedules, along with reminders for
when vaccines are due.
Website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/app/pages/default.aspx
6 NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices1.2.2 Useful Links
Resource Contact Details
Australian Phone: 1800 653 809
Immunisation Website: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/
Register (AIR) medicare/australian-immunisation-register
Better Health Immunisation resources including the NSW Health cold chain labels
Centre (for can be ordered from the Better Health Centre (BHC) via email. A list
ordering of resources that can be ordered from the BHC can be found at the
publications) website below.
Phone: (02) 9816 0452
Website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Documents/
immunisation-order-form.pdf
Email: nslhd-bhc@health.nsw.gov.au
National The National Immunisation Catch‑up Calculator (NICC V1.0) developed
Immunisation by the Australian Government Department of Health assists in the
Catch-up development of a vaccination catch up schedule when vaccine doses are
Calculator (NICC) delayed or missed.
Website: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/catch-up-
calculator/calculator
Document Free document translation service from the Department of Home Affairs
translation Phone: 1800 962 100
Services Website: https://translating.homeaffairs.gov.au/en
National Adverse All serious AEFI must be reported and any event felt to be significant
Events Following following immunisation should be reported to your local public health
Immunisation unit using the national AEFI reporting form
(AEFI) reporting Website: the form is available at the following link,
form www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/aefi.aspx
National Centre Website: http://ncirs.org.au/measles-vaccination-catch-up-guide
for Immunisation
Research and
Surveillance
(NCIRS) MMR
Catch Up Decision
tool
NSW Immunisation Website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Publications/nsw-
Schedule immunisation-schedule.pdf
NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices 7Resource Contact Details
NSW Immunisation This service provides specialised immunisation advice to clinician and
Specialist Service families which includes a 1800 telephone advice service, a drop-in
(NSWISS) immunisation clinic at Westmead Children’s Hospital, an immunisation
specialist clinic and telehealth consultations.
Phone: 1800 679 477
NSW Vaccine Phone: 1300 656 132
Centre Fax: 1800 041 528
Website: https://nsw.tollhealthcare.com
PHN Immunisation Website: www.phnimmunise.org.au
Support Program
Pneumococcal Website: www.immunisationcoalition.org.au/resources/pneumococcal-
Vaccination vaccination-tool
Decision Tool
Sharing Credible resources for parents and providers about immunisations.
Knowledge About Website: www.ncirs.org.au/health-professionals/skai-supporting-
Immunisation health-professionals
(SKAI)
SKAI Online Provides information and resources to assist healthcare professionals
Education Module in responding to parents/carers concerns and questions about
immunisation.
Website: www.ncirs.org.au/health-professionals/skai-supporting-
health-professionals
Spleen Australia Website: https://spleen.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/
Vaccine Decision RECOMMENDATIONS_Spleen_Registry.pdf
Tool
8 NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices2 The NSW Immunisation Schedule
The National Immunisation Program1 (NIP), underpinned by the National
Immunisation Strategy (2019–2024), 2 is funded by the Australian Government
and implemented by state and territory departments of health. The National
Immunisation Program funds many of the vaccines recommended in childhood
and throughout the life course for medically at risk groups. State and territory
health departments also fund some additional vaccines.
The National Immunisation Program (NIP) Other vaccines are also recommended but
Schedule is a series of recommended they are not funded through the national,
vaccines by age group and/or medical risk. state or territory immunisation programs.
The schedule is developed by the Australian For example, vaccines for people who have
Government Department of Health in an occupational risk of a disease, travellers
consultation with the Australian Technical or people with medical conditions that
Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). put them at increased risk of contracting a
vaccine preventable disease. These vaccines
The NIP was established in 1997 and
are available for purchase privately on
provided vaccines against nine childhood
prescription if required.
diseases. The NIP Schedule now covers 17
diseases for infants, children, young adults, Immunisation providers should refer to the
vulnerable adults (such as Aboriginal and Australian Immunisation Handbook4 (digital
Torres Strait Islander people, and pregnant version or phone app) for comprehensive
women) and older people. Vaccines on the information about all vaccines approved for
NIP schedule are made available free of use in Australia, including routine vaccination
charge to Australians in those age groups of infants, young children, adolescents and
and risk groups. older people; vaccination for special-risk
groups (e.g. Aboriginal and Torres Strait
The NSW Immunisation Schedule3 is a
Islander people); vaccination for international
schedule of vaccines that are provided
travelers; and groups with special vaccination
under the National Immunisation Program.
requirements (e.g. pregnant women, people
Providers in NSW should refer to the NSW
who are immunocompromised).
Immunisation Schedule to ensure any
additional vaccines funded in NSW are
administered to eligible patients.
NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices 92.1 Recent changes to the immunisation schedule
Immunisation providers are encouraged to refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook
(digital version or phone app) for the most up to date vaccine recommendation particularly
for medically at risk groups. For further information refer to the immunisation history tables at
www.ncirs.org.au/health-professionals/history-immunisation-australia
Vaccine Group When What’s changed
Pneumococcal: All ages 1 July The list of conditions associated with an
Prevenar 13 2020 increased risk of invasive pneumococcal
(13vPCV) and disease have been consolidated into
Pneumovax 23 one list i.e. there are no longer category
(23vPPV) A and category B lists. The list of
conditions vaccination is recommended
for is available in the online Australian
Immunisation Handbook.
A list of at risk groups that the vaccines
are funded for is available from the
Australian Department of Health 5
webpage.
The number of lifetime doses of 23vPPV is
now limited to 2 doses.
Children diagnosed 1 July In addition to the standard childhood
with an at risk condition 2020 schedule, children with an at risk condition
at ≤ 12 months of age are recommended to receive additional
pneumococcal vaccines:
• 6 Months: an additional dose of
13vPCV (or at diagnosis if diagnosed
6–11 months)
• 4 years: A dose of 23vPPV
• At least 5 years later: A dose 23vPPV
Children and adults 1 July People diagnosed with an at risk condition
diagnosed with an 2020 are recommended to receive:
at risk condition > 12 • 13vPCV: at diagnosis
months of age
• 23vPPV: 2–12 months later or ≥ 4 years
whichever is later
• 23vPPV: at least 5 years later
10 NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General PracticesVaccine Group When What’s changed
Aboriginal people aged 1 July Now recommended and funded
≥ 50 years without an 2020 to receive:
at risk condition • A dose of 13vPCV: ≥ 50 years of age
• 2-12 months later: a dose of 23vPPV
• At least 5 years later: a dose of 23vPPV
If someone has previously received a dose
of 23vPPV, wait 12 months before giving
13vPCV.
Give an additional dose of 23vPPV:
12 months after Prevenar 13 or 5 years
after the previous dose of 23vPPV—
whichever is later.
The number of doses of 23vPPV required
should be calculated with consideration
that 23vPPV is now limited to 2
lifetime doses.
Non-Aboriginal adults 1 July Now recommended and funded to receive
aged ≥ 70 years 2020 a single dose of 13vPCV ≥ 70 years of age
without an at risk (the single dose of 23vPPV at 65 years
condition is no longer recommended or funded).
This is an ongoing program with no time
limited catch up.
Those already 70 years of age or older
on 1 July 2020 are eligible for a single
funded dose of Prevenar 13 which can
be given opportunistically at a suitable
clinical encounter.
If someone has received a 23vPPV in the
last 12 months allow 12 months before
13vPCV is administered.
NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices 11Vaccine Group When What’s changed
Meningococcal All Aboriginal children 1 July Recommended and funded to receive
B: Bexsero < 2 years of age 2020 three doses of Bexsero at 6 weeks,
4 months and 12 months of age.
Catch up is available for Aboriginal
children less than 2 years of age until
30 June 2023—The number of doses
required is based on age. Refer to the
online Australian Immunisation Handbook.
An additional dose for Aboriginal
children < 2 years of age with certain
at risk conditions may be required.
These conditions include asplenia and
hyposplenia, complement deficiency,
treatment with Eculizumab, HIV and
Haematopoietic stem cell transplant—see
online Australian Immunisation handbook.
People with specified 1 July Recommended and funded to receive
risk conditions 2020 Bexsero. The number of doses required
including: are based on age. Refer to the online
• Asplenia and Australian Immunisation Handbook.
hyposplenia
• Complement
deficiency
• Treatment with
Eculizumab
Meningococcal People with specified 1 July Recommended and funded to receive
ACWY: risk conditions 2020 Nimenrix. The number of doses required
Nimenrix including: are based on age. Refer to the online
• Asplenia and Australian Immunisation Handbook.
hyposplenia Booster doses are also available for
• Complement people with these conditions with
deficiency ongoing risk.
• Treatment with Refer to the online Australian
Eculizumab Immunisation Handbook for dosing
requirements.
Haemophilus All people > 5 years of 1 July All people greater than 5 years with
influenzae age with asplenia or 2020 asplenia or hyposplenia that were
type b (Hib): hyposplenia incompletely vaccinated or not vaccinated
Act-HIB during childhood are recommended and
funded to receive one dose of Act-HIB.
12 NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices3 Recording Vaccinations
3.1 The Blue Book An eLearning module on using AIR is
available for vaccination providers at: www.
NSW Health provides the parents of each servicesaustralia.gov.au/organisations/
newborn with a Personal Health Record health-professionals/services/medicare/
(“The Blue Book”) that includes background australian-immunisation-register-health-
information on immunisation and a table to professionals/resources/education-modules
record the vaccinations given to the child.
The Blue Book is a useful reference 3.2.1 Accessing the AIR
for immunisation providers to confirm
Medical practitioners, midwives and nurse
that children are up to date with their
practitioners with a Medicare provider
vaccinations or to arrange a catch-up
number are automatically recognised as
vaccination schedule, if needed. The person’s
an immunisation provider and authorised
immunisation history should also be checked
to record or access immunisation data on
on the Australian Immunisation Register
the AIR.
(AIR) to ensure all vaccinations have been
provided to AIR. You can find further information on obtaining
access to AIR at www.servicesaustralia.
Additional copies of The Blue Book are
gov.au/organisations/health-professionals/
available from the Better Health Centre on
services/medicare/australian-immunisation-
9887 5450 or nslhd-bhc@health.nsw.gov.au
register-health-professionals
Providers must obtain electronic access to
3.2 The Australian AIR to review their patient’s immunisation
Immunisation Register histories, record immunisations given
overseas and record immunisation
The Australian Immunisation Register encounters for immunisations provided
(AIR) is a national register for recording in Australia.
vaccines given to people of all ages who
live in Australia. The AIR commenced on 1
3.2.2 Registering Patients on the AIR
January 1996 under its previous name of
Australian Childhood Immunisation Register People who are enrolled in Medicare are
(ACIR). It was expanded to a whole-of- automatically registered on the AIR. People
life register in 2016 and is administered by who are not eligible to enroll in Medicare are
Services Australia. The AIR provides detailed registered on the AIR when a recognised
reports on immunisation coverage, overdue vaccination provider records immunisation
immunisations and personal immunisation details for them.
history statements.
To learn how to record overseas
The AIR can be used as a tool to track immunisations on the AIR refer to the
immunisation uptake levels and identify low following education module www.
coverage areas. The accuracy of the register servicesaustralia.gov.au/organisations/
is dependent upon immunisation providers health-professionals/subjects/air-
reporting data to the AIR in a timely manner. education-vaccination-providers
NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices 133.2.3 Reporting Immunisation Encounters 2. Use the AIR site to manually record
to the AIR immunisation encounters by using
the Identify Individual and Record
AIR relies on immunisation providers to
Encounter functions.
submit accurate and timely data to monitor
vaccine coverage in Australia and inform – Refer to the Australian Immunisation
public health management and research of Register (AIR) education resources
vaccine preventable diseases. Patients also to help you access and record
rely on immunisation providers to report information on the AIR at:
accurate and timely data to the AIR to www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/
access personal immunisation records, enroll organisations/health-professionals/
in child care and school and receive family subjects/air-education-vaccination-
assistance payments on time. providers
The PHN Support Program has developed
a resource ‘Enhancing data quality of
Did you know? vaccination encounters recorded in practice
software and on AIR – tips and tricks’ to
In 2018, the number of influenza
help immunisation providers minimise and
vaccine doses recorded in AIR for
identify errors in vaccination recording to
people 65 years and over was 44%,
ensure the information held on patient’s
lower than the total doses distributed
records and on the Australian Immunisation
under the NIP. True adult vaccination
Register (AIR) is accurate.
coverage is underreported. Make sure
you report all vaccination encounters
to the AIR. 3.2.4 AIR History Statements
An immunisation history statement issued by
the AIR is required by child care services and
schools as evidence of immunisation status
There are two ways to record information on for enrolment under the NSW Public Health
the AIR: Act 2010.
1. Use your practice management software Parents can obtain an Immunisation History
(PMS). The details you enter will be Statement for children aged less than 14
transferred from your PMS to the AIR. years by:
– Make sure you are using the latest • using their Medicare online account
version of your PMS so you have through myGov6
up to date vaccine codes (contact
• using the Medicare Express Plus App7
your software vendor for further
information or your primary health • by asking their vaccination provider
network for advice). to print it (including non-Medicare
eligible patients with an immunisation
– Ensure you select the correct vaccine
history in AIR)
and dose number that has been given
to the patient. • by calling the AIR General Enquiries Line
on 1800 653 809
• For non‑Medicare eligible patients,
visiting a Medicare office
14 NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General PracticesFor privacy reasons, anyone aged over 14 Please note that children unvaccinated
years can access their own immunisation due to parental conscientious objection to
history statement. Parents with children over vaccination cannot be enrolled in childcare.
14 years, must obtain consent from the child
More information regarding the requirements
before the Immunisation History Statement
for enrolment in childcare can be found at
can be released to the parent. Consent must
www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/
be obtained each time a request for an
Pages/childcare_qa.aspx
Immunisation History Statement is made.
3.2.7 Primary and Secondary
3.2.5 AIR Coverage Rates
School enrolment
Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
Since April 2018 immunisation requirements11
coverage rates are provided to the
for enrolment have been extended to
NSW Ministry of Health quarterly.
primary and secondary schools and require
The data (by Local Health District)
that school principals:
are available on the NSW Health website:
www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation • request an immunisation history
statement at enrolment
• record each child’s immunisation status in
Did you know? a register and retain copies of approved
In 2019, vaccination coverage in NSW immunisation certificates for a period of 3
was higher in Aboriginal children years after the child has ceased to attend
(97.9%) compared to non-Aboriginal the school
children (94.5%) aged 5 years. • provide a copy of a child’s immunisation
certificate to another school that the
child has transferred to (upon request)
• notify the public health unit if an enrolled
child has a vaccine preventable disease,
3.2.6 Childcare Enrolment
or if they reasonably believe that an
All children presenting for enrolment with a unimmunised enrolled child has come
childcare provider are required to provide into contact with someone who has a
proof of vaccination status on enrolment. vaccine preventable disease
Documentation that can be provided by the • exclude unimmunised children at risk
parents/carers are: of contracting a disease from attending
school on the direction of a public
• AIR Immunisation History Statement8
health officer.
demonstrating that they are
fully immunised
• AIR Immunisation Medical Exemption
Form 9 noting that the child has a medical
reason not to be vaccinated including
natural immunity
• AIR Immunisation History Form10
noting that the child is on a recognised
catch-up schedule
NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices 153.2.8 Recording Immunisation Encounters Vaccination Record Card for Health Care
Workers and Students and a Vaccine
Immunisation encounters will be recorded
Administration Record Card for Adults—
in the patient’s medical record and then
available from the Better Health Centre
the information is transferred to AIR (refer
publications warehouse (refer to Section
to Section 3.2.3 Reporting Immunisation
1.2.2 Useful Links).
Encounters to the AIR).
Parents of children from overseas should
For children the encounter is also recorded
consult their local doctor to have their child’s
in the child’s blue book including vaccine
immunisation status reviewed. The doctor
brand name, batch number, dose number,
can also administer any vaccinations that
date and time of vaccination, site of
are required and transfer the information to
administration, name of the person who
the AIR (refer to Section 3.2.2 Registering
provided the vaccination and the date the
Patients on the AIR).
next vaccination is due.
Health care worker immunisations should
be recorded on AIR and additionally on the
Vaccination Record Card for Health Care
Workers and Students (if requested).
16 NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices4 Vaccination Programs
4.1 Childhood Vaccines If the vaccination is not on the AIR contact
your local public health unit on 1300 066
Childhood vaccines are administered as 055. The public health unit has a record of
per the schedule of vaccines recommended all vaccinations administered in the school
by the NSW Immunisation Schedule.12 based vaccination program that may still be
uploading to the AIR.
4.2 Adolescent Vaccines
NSW Health works in partnership with TIP
education authorities to offer the vaccines
Check the AIR before giving any
recommended and funded for adolescents
vaccines offered in the school based
under the National Immunisation Program
program to avoid double dosing. If
in a school-based vaccination program.
it is not on AIR and you suspect the
The program is implemented in two settings:
dose is missing contact your local
• in secondary schools,13 students are public health unit on 1300 066 055.
offered diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa)
and human papillomavirus (HPV) in Year 7
and Meningococcal ACWY in Year 10,
• In Intensive English Centres,14 where GPs are encouraged to opportunistically
catch-up vaccination is offered to check the vaccination status of adolescents
newly-arrived migrants transitioning to as part of routine clinical practice.
mainstream schooling, including human Information on the vaccines offered is
papillomavirus, hepatitis B, varicella, available on the NSW Health website at
polio, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/
meningococcal ACWY and measles- Pages/schoolvaccination.aspx
mumps-rubella.
Students who miss vaccine doses in the
school-based vaccination program are 4.3 Catch-up Program for
offered these vaccines as catch up doses Individuals 10–19 years
at subsequent visits or are referred to their
The National Immunisation Program provides
local doctor if they miss the school cinics.
free catch-up vaccines for individuals aged
Students who are home schooled or attend
10 to 19 years. Catch‑up vaccines are free as
distance education should complete their
long as the catch up schedule is commenced
immunisations with their doctor or other
before the age of 20 years. The Australian
immunisation provider.
Government Department of Health has
Records for vaccines given in schools are prepared a table with detailed information
progressively uploaded to the AIR and about the funded vaccines, doses required,
linked to existing childhood records to minimum intervals and any additional
provide a complete vaccination history. considerations that immunisation providers
Before administering any school based should be aware of (refer to Figure 1 on
vaccinations to adolescents presenting to page 19).
your practice check their AIR record.
NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices 174.4 Catch up vaccines for refugees and humanitarian entrants aged
20 years and over
The Australian Government provides free catch-up vaccines for refugees and humanitarian
entrants aged 20 years or over through the National Immunisation Program. Detailed
information is available on the Australian Government Department of Health Vaccination
Provider Factsheet (refugee catch up)15
Table 1: Nationally funded catch-up vaccines for refugees
and other humanitarian entrants aged 20 years and over
Total doses Minimal interval
Antigen Notes
needed between doses
People should receive 1 of the doses as
Between doses 1 and 2: dTpa-containing vaccine to provide the
4 weeks catch-up dose for pertussis. The course
Diphtheria, tetanus 3 doses can be completed with dT.
Between doses 2 and 3:
4 weeks If dT is not available, use dTpa or
dTpa-IPV for all 3 primary doses.
People ≥10 years of age who did not
receive all the pertussis vaccine doses
recommended before the age of 10
Pertussis 1 dose Not required years only need 1 dose to be considered
up to date. This is regardless of the
number of previous doses they received
before the age of 10 years.
Between doses 1 and 2:
4 weeks
Poliomyelitis 3 doses None
Between doses 2 and 3:
4 weeks
Measles, mumps
2 doses 4 weeks None
and rubella
Between doses 1 and 2:
Hepatitis B 1 month Minimum interval between dose 1 and
3 adult doses
Aged ≥20 years Between doses 2 and 3: dose 3 is 4 months.
2 months
MMRV is not recommended for use in
Varicella 2 doses 4 weeks
people ≥14 years of age.
Source: Department of Health, National Immunisation Program https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/
free-catch-up-vaccines-for-refugees-and-humanitarian-entrants-aged-20-years-and-over-fact-sheet
18 NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General PracticesFigure 1—Catch up vaccines for children 10–19 years
Table 1: Nationally funded catch-up vaccines for children aged 10–19 years
Minimal interval
Antigen Total doses needed Notes
between doses
Between doses 1 and 2: People should receive 1 of the doses as dTpa-containing
Diphtheria, 4 weeks vaccine and complete the course with dT. This dose would
3 doses also provide the catch-up dose for pertussis.
tetanus Between doses 2 and 3:
4 weeks If dT is not available, use dTpa or dTpa-IPV for all 3 primary doses.
People ≥10 years of age who did not receive all the pertussis
vaccine doses recommended before the age of 10 years only
need 1 dose to be considered up to date. This is regardless of
the number of previous doses they received before the age of
Pertussis 1 dose Not required 10 years.
A booster dose of pertussis-containing vaccine is routinely
recommended for all adolescents aged 11–13 years. Take this
into account when planning catch-up for pertussis.
Between doses 1 and 2:
4 weeks
Poliomyelitis 3 doses None
Between doses 2 and 3:
4 weeks
Measles, mumps
2 doses 4 weeks None
and rubella
Between doses 1 and 2:
3 paediatric doses 1 month
Hepatitis B Minimum interval between dose 1 and dose 3 is 4 months.
aged 10–19 years Between doses 2 and 3:
Note the age groups 2 months
overlap and this is an
either/or, not both
2 adult doses aged
4 months None
11–15 years only
1 dose of meningococcal
C vaccine aged Not required None
10-14 years
Meningococcal
1 dose of meningococcal
ACWY vaccine aged Not required None
15-19 years
Recommended for all non-immune people. People aged
Between doses 1 and 2:4.5 Influenza Vaccination Program
Annual seasonal influenza vaccination is – other chronic illnesses requiring
recommended for any person aged 6 months regular medical follow up or
and over who wishes to reduce the likelihood hospitalisation in the previous year,
of becoming ill with influenza. including diabetes mellitus, chronic
metabolic diseases, chronic renal
The annual influenza vaccine is available free
failure, and haemoglobinopathies
of charge under the National Immunisation
Program from April/May each year to: – chronic neurological conditions
that impact on respiratory function,
• All children aged 6 months to less than including multiple sclerosis, spinal
5 years cord injuries, and seizure disorders
• pregnant women: can be given at any – impaired immunity, including HIV,
stage of pregnancy malignancy and chronic steroid use
• people aged 65 years and over: should – children aged 6 months to 10 years on
receive the enhanced vaccine specially long term aspirin therapy.
formulated to produce a higher immune
response in this group A number of resources are available on the
NSW Health website—including the Influenza
• Aboriginal people 6 months and older
Vaccination Provider Toolkit.16 This kit is
• Persons who have identified medical updated each influenza season with advice
risk conditions: to assist immunisation providers to manage
– cardiac disease, including cyanotic roll-out and implementation of their flu
congenital heart disease, coronary vaccination program. The toolkit contains
artery disease and congestive advice about influenza vaccine composition,
heart failure vaccine ordering and delivery timeframes
to assist in program planning. Refer to
– chronic respiratory conditions,
www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/
including suppurative lung disease,
Publications/flu-provider-toolkit.pdf
chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease and severe asthma
20 NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices5 Vaccines for Specific Groups
The Australian Government funds free The impacts of these gaps in vaccine uptake
vaccines for a range of specific groups at and timeliness are seen in notifiable diseases
high risk from vaccine preventable diseases, data where Aboriginal children have higher
including Aboriginal and Torres Strait rates of vaccine preventable conditions
Islander populations, children, adolescents, such as Haemophilus influenzae type b,
young adults and older Australians in order invasive meningococcal disease, whooping
to protect the most vulnerable from vaccine cough, invasive pneumococcal disease and
preventable diseases. rotavirus infection.
NSW Health has implemented a number of
strategies to improve immunisation coverage
5.1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Islander Populations people following the introduction of the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NSW Aboriginal Immunisation Health Care
populations have a higher burden of disease Worker (AIHCW) Program.
overall compared to non-Aboriginal and
GPs are encouraged to ask all patients ‘‘Are
Torres Strait Islander populations including
you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
vaccine preventable diseases. Data from
origin?’ as part of routine clinical practice
the Australian Immunisation Register
to ensure they receive appropriate primary
(AIR) indicate that Aboriginal children
health care services. The RACGP has a range
have historically been vaccinated at lower
of resources (refer to useful links below) to
rates, and experienced greater delays in
ensure your practice provides culturally safe
vaccination, than non-Aboriginal children. As
primary health care.
a result, Aboriginal children are at increased
risk of morbidity and mortality associated Please refer to the digital version of the
with vaccine preventable diseases. Australian Immunisation Handbook17 for
specific requirements for patients in these
at-risk groups.
Did you know? Useful links:
Due to the success of the AIHCW
• RACGP Guidelines: Identification of
program in NSW, vaccination
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
coverage at 5 years of age in 2019 was
people in Australian general practice
higher in Aboriginal children (97.9%)
www.racgp.org.au/FSDEDEV/
compared to non-Aboriginal children
media/documents/Faculties/ATSI/
(94.5% ). Let’s keep working together
Identification-of-Aboriginal-and-Torres-
to ensure the gap remains closed.
Strait-Islander-people-in-Australian-
general-practice.pdf
• RACGP webinar series:
Providing effective, culturally safe
primary health care
www.racgp.org.au/cultural-safety
NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices 215.2 Asplenic Patients 5.3 Preterm Infants
Patients who have been identified as being Preterm (premature) infants (according to
asplenic or who may be scheduled to have The Australian Immunisation Handbook)
a splenectomy have specific requirements are those babies born at less than 37 weeks
for vaccination. People with functional or gestation. Extremely preterm infants are
anatomical asplenia should be up to date those born at less than 28 weeks gestation.
with all routinely recommended vaccines
Prematurity can increase the child’s risk
and are also recommended to receive the
of vaccine-preventable diseases. Infants
following vaccines which are funded under
identified as preterm should receive vaccines
the National Immunisation Program:
according to the recommended schedule at
• Hib vaccine their chronological age, without correction
• influenza vaccine for prematurity. Consideration should
• meningococcal vaccine be given to the child’s birth weight, the
• pneumococcal vaccine precise gestational age and the presence
of any chronic medical condition(s) before
Specific vaccine recommendations giving vaccines.
for people with elective or unplanned
asplenia are available in the Australian Specific requirements for Hepatitis B and
Immunisation Handbook18 (digital version). pneumococcal vaccine may be necessary.
Spleen Australia19 has also developed Please refer to the Australian Immunisation
‘medical recommendations for vaccines Handbook 20 (digital version).
recommended for adults and children with https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.
asplenia’ that take into consideration an au/vaccination-for-special-risk-groups/
individual’s previous vaccination history. The vaccination-for-preterm-infants
recommendations can be accessed at the
spleen Australia webpage.
Vaccines recommended for people with
asplenia in the Australian Immunisation
Handbook are funded under the National
Immunisation Program.
Useful links:
• Australian Immunisation Handbook
https://immunisationhandbook.health.
gov.au/vaccination-for-special-risk-
groups/vaccination-for-people-who-are-
immunocompromised
• Spleen Australia
https://spleen.org.au/wp-content/
uploads/2020/03/RECOMMENDATIONS_
Spleen_Registry.pdf
22 NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices5.4 Women Who Are 5.5 Individuals with Medical
Planning Pregnancy and Risk Factors and/or
Pregnant Women Immunocompromised
Women planning pregnancy should have Individuals with certain medical conditions
their vaccination needs assessed as part and/or immunocompromising conditions that
of any pre-conception health check. In place them at increased risk of contracting
particular, consider vaccines for: disease or who are more likely to experience
severe morbidity or mortality may have
• hepatitis B
additional immunisation requirements.
• measles, mumps, rubella
• varicella Refer to the digital version of the Australian
Immunisation Handbook for specific advice:
It is also important to ask women of child- https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.
bearing age who present for vaccination au/vaccination-for-special-risk-groups/
about the possibility of pregnancy as part vaccination-for-people-at-occupational-risk
of routine pre-vaccination screening. This is
so that they are not given any vaccines that
are not recommended in pregnancy. Advise 5.6 People at occupational risk
women who receive live vaccines to avoid
pregnancy within 28 days of vaccination. Certain occupations place individuals
at greater risk of exposure to vaccine
Pregnant women are routinely preventable diseases. You should consider
recommended to receive free (government the work activities, rather than the job title,
funded): for each person to ensure that they are
appropriately protected. You should consider
• influenza vaccine: can be administered at
the occupational needs of people employed
any time during pregnancy
in the following roles:
• Pertussis-containing vaccine: usually
given to pregnant women at 28 weeks • Healthcare workers
but can be given anytime between 20–32 • People who work in childhood education
weeks of each pregnancy. The vaccine and care
should be given as early as possible (from • Carers
20 weeks) to women who are identified • Emergency and essential
as being at high risk of preterm birth, or services workers
who are unlikely to attend a 28 week visit • Laboratory workers
for any reason.
• People who work with animals
Refer to the digital version of the Australian • Other people exposed to human tissue,
Immunisation Handbook for specific advice: blood, body fluids or sewage
https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.
au/vaccination-for-special-risk-groups/
vaccination-for-women-who-are-planning-
pregnancy-pregnant-or
NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices 236 Specific Vaccines
6.1 Diphtheria, Tetanus and 6.2 Pneumococcal
Pertussis Vaccine (DTPa/ vaccine (Prevenar 13 and
dTpa) Pneumovax 23)
The routine schedule for pertussis Information related to those people with
vaccination is 6 weeks, 4 months, 6 months, at risk conditions which require additional
18 months and 4 years of age. Booster pneumococcal vaccinations can be found
doses are offered in Year 7 (12 years of age) in the Australian Immunisation Handbook
and then at 50 years of age (not funded at (digital version).
50 years).
https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.
Pregnant women are advised to receive a au/vaccination-for-special-risk-groups
free booster dose of pertussis containing
A useful pneumococcal vaccination tool
vaccine. This is usually given to pregnant
is also available on the Immunisation
women at 28 weeks but can be given
Coalition webpage:
anytime between 20–32 weeks of each
pregnancy. The vaccine should be given as www.immunisationcoalition.org.au/
early as possible (from 20 weeks) to women resources/pneumococcal-vaccination-tool
who are identified as being at high risk of
preterm birth, or who are unlikely to attend a From 1 July 2020 the National Immunisation
28 week visit for any reason. Program schedule has been updated to
reflect changes to pneumococcal vaccine
Pertussis containing vaccine is also recommendations . For more information
recommended (but not funded) for all refer to:
people who will care for, or have close
contact with a baby in the first weeks of life. • Section 2.1 for a summary of changes
• the Australian Immunisation Handbook
For more information and resources refer (digital or app version) and
to the NSW Health webpage Protect Your
• FAQs on the NSW Health webpage.
Newborn From Whooping Cough and
Section 5.4 of the toolkit.
www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/
pages/wc-newborns.aspx
24 NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices6.3 Measles, Mumps 6.4 Zoster (shingles) vaccine
Rubella (MMR) A single dose of zoster (Zostavax®) vaccine
The measles, mumps rubella vaccine (MMR) is recommended and funded for adults at
is routinely provided to children at 12 months 70 years of age.
and Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella
Adults 71–79 years of age are also eligible
(MMRV) at 18 months.
under a five-year catch up program until
• Children as young as 6 months of age 31 October 2021.
can receive MMR vaccine in certain
circumstances, including travel to highly 6.4.1 Contraindications
endemic areas and during outbreaks.
Zostavax® is contraindicated in people who
If an infant receives MMR vaccine at
are immunocompromised. The Australian6.4.2 Adverse events 6.5 Hepatitis B
The most common adverse event following Hepatitis B vaccine is routinely funded for
Zostavax® immunisation are injection children under the childhood vaccination
site reactions. Serious reactions, such program at birth, 6 weeks, 4 and 6 months.
as disseminated varicella zoster virus Post vaccination serology should be
(Oka strain) infection are rare however performed on babies born to mothers with
patients should be advised of the risk and a high viral load >200,000IU/ml. It is also
to seek immediate medical attention if funded by NSW Health for additional groups
they develop: who are at increased risk of contracting
this disease. A course of the vaccination is
• Chickenpox-like rash within 3 to 4 weeks
available for:
after vaccine administration
• feeling unwell • Aboriginal people
• fever • Household and sexual contacts of acute
and chronic hepatitis B cases
If a patient presents with these symptoms
• Immunosuppressed people
following Zostavax® vaccination,
• People with HIV or hepatitis C
disseminated varicella zoster virus (Oka
strain) infection should be considered in the • Men who have sex with men
differential diagnosis. Immunisation providers • Injecting drug users
should initiate early and appropriate testing, • Sex workers
treatment and management. • Clients of sexual health clinics
26 NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices7 Other vaccines
7.1 Q Fever The Australian Q Fever Register holds
information on the Q Fever immune status
Q fever vaccination is contraindicated in of individuals, accessible to registered
people who have been previously infected organisations (primarily meat processors and
with the Q fever organism. People who medical practitioners). The register holds
have previously been infected with Q fever details of Q Fever vaccination providers in a
are likely to have adverse reactions to the number of Australian states.
vaccine and should not be vaccinated.
Immunisation providers are responsible for Further information about the management
conducting appropriate pre-vaccination of persons with Q fever and their contacts is
screening to identify patients who may not available in the Q fever control guidelines or
be aware that they have been previously by contacting your local public health unit on
infected with Q fever. Authorised nurse 1300 066 055.
immunisers are not authorised to administer
Useful links:
Q Fever vaccine without a doctors order.
• Seqirus Q fever facts website—
The manufacturer (Seqirus) and the
www.qfeverfacts.com.au
Australian College of Rural and Remote
Medicine (ACCRM) both provide online • ACCRM Q fever module—
education on Q fever vaccination and https://mycollege.acrrm.org.
skin testing. au/search/find-online-learning/
details?id=11347&title=Q+Fever+-+Early+
• Seqirus has developed the Diagnosis+and+Vaccination
www.qfeverfacts.com.au website.
• Australian Q Fever Register—
Health professionals can log in to access
www.qfever.org
educational resources. Please contact
Seqirus Pty Ltd on 1800 008 275 for • NSW Health Q fever control guidelines
log‑in details to access these resources. www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/
controlguideline/Pages/qfever.aspx
• ACRRM has developed an accredited
‘Q fever—early diagnosis and
vaccination’22 education module (worth 2
CPD points, link below). The module is a
two hour course that includes advice on
testing, diagnosis and management of Q
fever and guidance on vaccination and
pre-vaccination skin testing. It is available
for free for ACRRM members. NSW GPs
can access the course at no cost using
the code NSWGP18 (places are limited).
NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices 277.2 Yellow Fever The yellow fever vaccine can only be administered by accredited providers at an approved Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre. Immunisation providers seeking to become an approved yellow fever vaccination clinic must complete the Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre application package23 and contact their local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055. Further information regarding Yellow Fever vaccination including a list of accredited yellow fever vaccination centres in NSW is available on the NSW Health website www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/ Pages/yellow_fever.aspx 28 NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices
8 Pharmacist Vaccinations
8.1 Vaccinations provided by Appropriately trained pharmacists
must comply with the NSW Pharmacist
pharmacists
Vaccination Standards24 including:
Appropriately trained NSW pharmacists
• advising all individuals who are eligible
can provide the following privately funded
for funded vaccines of their eligibility,
vaccines to the following age ranges:
and of how to access funded vaccines e.g
• Influenza—10 years and over people over 65 years of age requesting
• diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (dTpa)— influenza vaccine.
16 years and over • checking an individual’s vaccination
• measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)— status on AIR prior to administering a
16 years and over vaccine and subsequently recording any
vaccines they administer.
Appropriately trained pharmacists can
administer authorised vaccines in the Information regarding pharmacist
following settings: vaccination including the process
for pharmacists to register as a
• Retail pharmacy vaccination provider with the AIR can
• General Practice be found on the NSW Health website
www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/
• Aboriginal Medical Services
Pages/immunisation-providers.aspx
• Local Council Clinics
• Private Hospitals
• Public Hospitals and health services
• Community Health Centres
• Aged Care Facilities
• Staff Occupational Health Clinics
NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices 299 NSW Occupational Assessment,
Screening & Vaccination Policy
(Health Care Worker Policy)
NSW Health Policy Directive (PD) For more information and Frequently
Occupational Assessment Screening and Asked Questions (FAQs) please visit the
Vaccination against Specified Infectious NSW Health Immunisation website at
Diseases (PD2020_017), 25 provides a www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/
framework for the assessment, screening and Pages/default.aspx and go to the Health
vaccination of health care workers employed care worker vaccination section
in NSW Health facilities.
A learning module that provides training on
Health care workers, including students, are the requirements of this policy is available
required to provide evidence of protection from: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/
against the specified diseases listed in the immunisation/OASV/index.html
policy. The Vaccination Record Card for
Health Care Workers and Students can be
used to record these vaccinations in addition
to the AIR history statement and is available
from the Better Health Centre on 9887 5450
or nslhd-bhc@health.nsw.gov.au
30 NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices10 Vaccine Storage and Cold
Chain Management
Vaccines are sensitive to temperature Website: https://www.health.gov.au/
and light and must be stored in their resources/collections/national-vaccine-
original cardboard packaging between the storage-guidelines-resource-collection
recommended temperature range of +2°C
to +8°C. This section provides an overview
of resources available to support vaccine 10.2 NSW Health Cold
storage and cold chain management and Chain Toolkit
outlines mandatory requirements for NSW
immunisation providers. More detailed NSW Health has also developed a Cold
information is available in the NSW Cold Chain Toolkit for Immunisation Providers
Chain Toolkit for Immunisation Providers (link below) and Safe Vaccine Storage
(Refer to Section 10.2) Checklist (link below) to support
immunisation providers in general practice.
The Cold Chain Toolkit includes additional
10.1 National Vaccine Storage information about vaccine storage and
cold chain requirements in NSW including
Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’
mandatory training requirements and
All immunisation providers should have random audits conducted by NSW Health.
access to the updated National Vaccine
Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’ (3rd
edition), 26 released in June 2019. These
guidelines provide best practice guidelines
COLD CHAIN TOOLKIT Immunisation Provider Cold Chain Toolkit
for storing vaccines and managing the cold FOR IMMUNISATION Appendix 1: Safe Vaccine Storage Checklist
Remember to follow the principles of safe vaccine storage management to ensure
safe and effective vaccines are given to your patients. Strive for 5°C and report ALL
PROVIDERS cold chain breaches to your local public health unit on 1300 066 055.
chain. The guidelines include additional cold Vaccine
refrigerators
Purpose-built vaccine refrigerators (PBVR) are the
only suitable option for vaccine storage.
•If your practice does not have a PBVR you will be required to order a new PBVR.
chain resources such as:
•Domestic fridges and bar fridges are not built to store vaccines and must not be used for
vaccine storage.
Vaccine Vaccines MUST be stored in their original
Storage packaging
•Store vaccines in their original cardboard packaging as they are sensitive to UV light and
temperature fluctuations.
•Vaccines must not touch the sides of the fridge
•Vaccines must not be stored on the floor of the fridge
• minimum/maximum vaccine refrigerator
•Annual vaccine storage self-audit completed and up to date.
Temperature Vaccine fridge temperatures MUST be
monitoring continuously monitored using a data logger
temperature chart
•Data loggers MUST be set at 5 minute intervals with a report downloaded weekly and when a
potential cold chain breach has been identified.
•Current, minimum and maximum temperatures MUST be manually recorded twice daily,
every day the practice is open. Thermometer to be reset after temperatures are recorded.
•Review temperature of fridge before removing vaccines for administration.
Vaccine Rotate stock and discard expired
expiry
• posters e.g. cold chain breach protocol
NSW Health
vaccines
•Check the vaccine expiry before administering vaccines.
JULY 2019
•Regularly review stock and bring vaccines with the shortest dates to the front of the
refrigerator so they are used first.
and stickers
Staff Ensure ALL staff are trained in vaccine
education management
•Provide regular vaccine management orientation and education training sessions for all staff.
•Ensure one member of staff is responsible for vaccine management and a back up person.
•The NSW Health Vaccine Storage and Cold Chain Management online training module
may be used to train all staff that are responsible for vaccine storage and monitoring,
• self audit tool
visit
https://nswhealth.seertechsolutions.com.au/public_content/HETICP/HETI/CCMWebv3/s
tory_flash.html.
11
July 2019
Copies and additional resources are available
to be downloaded from the Australian Useful links:
Government’s Department of Health
NSW Health Cold Chain Toolkit
webpage. These resources include the
for Immunisation Providers—
ordering ID required to order hard copies.
www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/
Hardcopies can be ordered by contacting
Documents/cold-chain-toolkit.pdf
National Mailing and Marketing by.
Safe Vaccine Storage Checklist—
• Email—health@nationalmailing.com.au
www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/
• Phone—02 6269 1080 Documents/safe-vaccine-storage-checklist.
pdf
NSW Health Immunisation Toolkit for General Practices 31You can also read
