On this page

  1. Fluad influenza vaccine expires on 30 November 2019
  2. Rabies immunoglobulin supply
  3. NSW vaccine centre hours over Christmas 2019 and New Year 2020
  4. Measles resources and vaccine eligibility
  5. Australian Immunisation Handbook updates
  6. New presentation of Priorix and Priorix Tetra
  7. Cold chain learning module
  8. Commonwealth HPV campaign launch
  9. Vaccine expiry dates must be checked
  10. Medical exemptions to vaccination
  11. E-learning modules for AIR users

Fluad influenza vaccine expires on 30 November 2019

Fluad trivalent (TIV) influenza vaccine for people aged over 65 years is no longer being distributed as it expires on 30 November 2019.
 
Please ensure you discard all doses of Fluad after 30 November to avoid administration errors.
 
Persons aged over 65 years who require influenza vaccination after this time can be offered government funded quadrivalent (QIV) influenza vaccines.
 

Rabies immunoglobulin supply

Rabies immunoglobulin (RIg) is one component of the post-exposure prophylaxis for people who may have been exposed to rabies virus or other lyssaviruses. As RIg is in short supply globally, an alternative human RIg product, KamRAB, has been sourced by the Australian Department of Health. This product is not registered for use in Australia but it has been approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) under section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, accessing medicines during a medicines shortage, until 31 January 2021. No additional forms are required when this product is administered.
 
GP and patient fact sheets are being sent with every delivery of KamRAB.
 
Phone your local public health unit on 1300 066 055 for advice on post-exposure prophylaxis and to order Rig and rabies vaccine for patients who may have been exposed to rabies virus or other lyssaviruses.
 

NSW Vaccine Centre hours over Christmas/NY

The NSW Vaccine Centre will be closed for routine deliveries over the Christmas/New Year period.
 
The last despatch for metropolitan areas will be Friday 20th December for delivery Monday 23rd December. Metro orders must be placed before 2.30pm on Thursday 19th December to be delivered by Monday 23rd December. 
 
Last despatch for non-metropolitan areas will be Thursday 19th December for delivery Friday 20th December. Non-metro orders must be placed before 2.30pm on Wednesday 18th December to be delivered by Friday 20th December.
 
Orders placed after these times will be held in the online ordering system and delivered in the week commencing 6th January 2020.
 

Measles resources and vaccine eligibility

The Australian Academy of Science has developed a suite of measles educational and promotional materials for vaccination providers and consumers, to raise awareness about measles, with a particular focus on those most at risk of the disease such as travellers or those born during or from 1966.
 
GPs are reminded that measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is free for all people born during or after 1966, who haven’t had measles or two doses of measles vaccine.
 

Australian Immunisation Handbook updates

The Australian Immunisation Handbook was recently updated. A summary of the updates is available. Changes include updates to a number of disease chapters, and various administrative updates to improve the usability of the Handbook, including updates to hyperlinks throughout the Handbook.
 

New presentation of Priorix and Priorix Tetra

GSK Australia has advised NSW Health that, over the next six months, the syringe presentations of Priorix and Priorix Tetra vaccines available in Australia will transition to Luer Lock Plastic Rigid Tip Caps, (the same fitting as Fluarix Tetra influenza vaccine).
 
Priorix Tetra is currently out of stock (ProQuad vaccine is being supplied as the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine for use in 18 month old children). NSW Health expects supply of Priorix Tetra vaccine to resume by January 2020.
 

Cold chain learning module

Thank you for your patience with the glitch that prevented individuals from printing a certificate on completion of the cold chain learning module. Certificates are now able to be printed on completion of the module. 
 

Commonwealth’s HPV campaign launch

The Australian Government’s Department of Health has launched a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination communication campaign (including translations), aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of the benefits, importance, safety and efficacy of the HPV vaccine, and increasing uptake of the vaccine delivered in schools through the National Immunisation Program. The primary audience for the campaign is parents of young adults, and young adults aged up to 19 years who are eligible for free catch-up doses. A campaign news item is also available.

 

Vaccine expiry dates must be checked

  • There has been an increase in incidents of expired vaccines being administered to patients.
  • It is essential that the expiry date is checked on all vaccines prior to administration to avoid patient recall and revaccination and loss of their confidence in your health service delivery.

Medical exemptions to vaccination

  • There are two permanent exemptions to vaccination: anaphylaxis to vaccine/vaccine component and significant immunocompromise (live attenuated vaccines only).
  • Information on medical contraindications to each vaccine are detailed in the online nformation on medical contraindications to each vaccine are detailed in the online Australian Immunisation Handbook.
  • NSW Health offers a specialist immunisation service for clinicians and families. The NSW Immunisation Specialist Service (NSWISS) provides clinical advice and support on immunisation needs for patients with complex of unusual backgrounds or who have had an adverse event following immunisation.  
  • Practitioners are encouraged to use this service to support clinical practice and management of medical contraindications to vaccinations. The service may also benefit patients and parents who need support in their immunisation decision making.

E-learning modules for Australian Immunisation Register users

  • All childhood and adult vaccinations should be reported to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), regardless of funding source (Private Script, State or NIP funded).
  • The Department of Human services (DHS) has published five new AIR eLearning education modules to help providers understand how to access and use AIR site and record vaccination episodes. The modules can be viewed at www.humanservices.gov.au/hpeducation 
  • Reporting immunisations to the AIR ensures other providers can be aware of a patient’s vaccination history, prevents duplication of vaccinations, and facilitates Family Tax payments and enrolment into childcare.

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Page Updated: Thursday 14 November 2019
Contact page owner: Immunisation