Immunisation Weekly Update:

Welcome to our weekly Immunisation update! In this week’s update read about:

• Prepare your practice: NSW Health cold chain audits
• New Adolescent vaccinations brochure
• Childhood immunisation resources
• Updated guidance on Mpox
• COVID-19 provider update
• Education – RSV prevention program 2025

Prepare your practice: NSW Health cold chain audits

Local public health units (PHUs) on behalf of NSW Health continue to conduct random cold chain audits of all immunisation providers including general practices, pharmacies and RACFs.

All immunisation providers responsible for ordering, receiving, storing and administering government funded vaccines on the NIP must understand and adhere to the principles of vaccine management and storage, as set out in National Vaccine Storage Guidelines: Strive for 5.

In addition to the national guidelines, immunisation providers in NSW are required to adhere to the NSW state requirements for cold chain management and vaccine storage.

Further details here

New Adolescent Vaccinations Brochure

The Adolescent vaccinations brochure provides information about free vaccines for adolescents under the National Immunisation Program to protect them against harmful diseases.

This brochure provides information on Human papillomavirus (HPV), Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis and Meningococcal ACWY diseases, timing of vaccination, where to get vaccinated, side effects, consent, and vaccination records.

Order this resource free form the Department of Health website.

Childhood Immunisation

Routine Childhood Immunisation – Health professionals’ kit

Published 9 October 2024, this health professionals kit is designed to support health professionals in conversations with parents and carers about childhood immunisation.

NIP childhood schedule fridge magnet card

This fridge magnet card outlines the series of routine childhood immunisations recommended for children aged 0 to 4 years under the National Immunisation Program.

Order this resource free form the Department of Health website.

Mpox updates

PHLN guidance on mpox

On 14 October 2024, the PHLN guidance on mpox patient referral, specimen collection and test requesting document was updated. This document includes information for physicians on referring patients with suspected mpox. It also includes how to safely and correctly collect and transport specimens.

Mpox Handbook chapter

The Australian Immunisation Handbook Mpox chapter includes information about mpox disease, vaccines and the latest recommendations for primary and post-exposure mpox vaccination.

COVID-19 provider update

Consumables – 0.9% Sodium Chloride 10mL Ampoules

From 11 October 2024, the Commonwealth is no longer suppling sodium chloride ampoules under the COVID-19 vaccination program. Current sodium chloride ampoule supplies expire on 31 October 2024.

Providers will be required to source 0.9% Sodium Chloride 10mL Ampoules separately to be able to dilute the Pfizer (XBB.1.5) 6 month- 4 years (Maroon) vaccine. Product should be Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) listed. No other dilutant including “Bacteriostatic” 0.9% Sodium Chloride should be used.

Updated COVID-19 resources

On 8 October 2024, the following COVID-19 resources were updated:

• Cold Chain Breach (CCB) reporting form – This form is to help vaccine providers report a potential cold chain breach under the COVID-19 vaccination program.
• Vaccine Administration Error (VAE) reporting form – This form is to help vaccine providers report a vaccine administration error under the COVID-19 Vaccination Program.

Education