As of 26 June 2024, NSW Aboriginal Health Practitioners can now administer influenza vaccination to people 5 years and over.
Beyfortus is not currently available on the National Immunisation Program and is not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. In NSW, Beyfortus is only available to medically at-risk neonates and infants under the NSW Health RSV vulnerable babies program. Due to a supply shortage ATAGI have advised that those infants who are at the highest risk of contracting RSV be prioritised.
Eligible babies can only receive Beyfortus via a NSW hospital or Aboriginal Medical Centre.
Information for clinicians: RSV Program: Clinician Guide, ATAGI statement; NCIRS: fact sheet
Information on RSV: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Patient information on Beyfortus™: Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) information for parents and carers; Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) information for parents and carers of Aboriginal babies
NSW health respiratory illness resource page.
Childhood Immunisation resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
To sensitively approach the issue of obtaining Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander eligibility status for the COVID-19 vaccination program, health care practitioners should ask the question of all patients: “Are you of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin?” The question should be placed in the context of diverse backgrounds.
This question should be asked of all patients irrespective of appearance, country of birth, or whether you personally know the patient or their family background. Asking the question of each patient provides consistency within and between practices and at a local and national level.
Scenario
Question: “Are you of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin”?
Answers provided by patient could be:
The answer should be accepted and documented on the patient record.
NCIRS | Conversations about meningococcal B vaccination. This document was developed for healthcare providers to address a range of questions including:
