Immunisation Weekly Update:

Bring Back Memories, Not Measles

NSW Health is urging people planning to travel overseas to ensure they are fully protected against measles before they go, following two recent cases in travellers who have returned from Bali.

Two doses of measles vaccine provide long term protection to 99% of people vaccinated:

• Anyone in NSW born during or after 1966 who does not have evidence of having received two doses in the past can access free measles vaccine from their GP (all ages) or pharmacies (people over 12 years of age). Refer to the NCIRS Catch-up guide: Measles vaccination.
• The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and is free on the National Immunisation Program for children at 12 and 18 months of age.
• People travelling with young children should discuss travel plans with their GP as the measles vaccine schedule can be started from six months of age for children travelling to areas which are a risk for measles.

More information on measles can be found on the measles factsheet.

Flu: It’s never too late to vaccinate

Annual influenza vaccination should occur anytime from April onwards to provide protection for the flu season, which generally occurs between May and September. However, it is never too late to vaccinate, given that influenza can circulate in the community all year round.

There are currently high levels of influenza circulating in Australia, and influenza vaccination coverage rates remain low – leaving many people vulnerable to this potentially serious disease.

Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over. It is available free under the National Immunisation Program for eligible people most at risk of complications from influenza.

Translated influenza resources are available on the NSW Health webpage.

Lunch and Learn: How to Action Immunisation Overdue Reports

Join us online for an in-depth look at Childhood Immunisation Overdue Reports and learn the tips and tricks to reduce the number of children on your practice’s report.

• About: Identify children marked as overdue for a scheduled immunisation using immunisation reports extracted from the Australian Immunisation Register.
• When: Tuesday 29 August 2023 | 12:30pm – 1:00pm
• Register

Immunisation webinar: AIR Encounters and Reports

Following on from the successful Back to Basics webinar, WA Primary Health Alliance is pleased to host this second webinar in the series, aimed at nurses to help navigate the Australian Immunisation register.

• About: An in depth look at the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), focusing on recording encounters in AIR, downloading and using 10A reports, and the new 42A reports.
• When: Thursday 31 August 2023 | 7:00pm – 8:00pm GMT
• Register: via WA PHN website