Immunisation updates for primary care

​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.