Immunisation weekly update

17 November 2020

Childhood immunisation coverage in SESLHD 

The latest childhood immunisation coverage for children living within the boundaries of South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD), as at 30 September 2020 is outlined in the third quarter report.

It summarises the percentage of children reported as ‘fully immunised’ for age in the three age cohorts by local government area (LGA) and quarter.

Following a drop in the first quarter, thought to be related to some providers and families choosing to defer routine medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic, coverage has increased in most LGAs since then.

12 months age cohort summary for third quarter:

• 94.7% of the  2,628 SESLHD children were considered fully vaccinated at 12 months. 
• Coverage rates in the South Eastern Sydney area are similar to the NSW coverage level in this age group (95.0%).
• The lowest coverage was reported in Woollahra LGA, with 90.3% of 155 registered children recorded as having received all recommended vaccines.
• The highest coverage was reported in Hurstville LGA, with 96.6% of 266 children recorded as fully vaccinated.

2 years age cohort summary for third quarter:

• 92.5% of the 2,404 SESLHD children were considered fully vaccinated at 2 years.
• Coverage rates in the South Eastern Sydney area are similar to the NSW coverage level in this age group (92.9%).
• The lowest coverage was reported in Woollahra LGA with 88.6% of 140 registered children recorded as having received all recommended vaccines. 
• The highest coverage was reported in Sutherland Shire LGA, with 94.6% of 681 children recorded as fully vaccinated.

5 years age cohort summary for third quarter:

• 92.9% of the 2,309 SESLHD children were considered fully vaccinated at 5 years.
• The coverage among children of this age group increased by 1.3% compared to last quarter but remains below the average NSW coverage level in this age group (95.0%).
• The lowest coverage was reported in Waverley LGA, with 86.4% of 201 registered children recorded as having received all recommended vaccines. 
• The highest coverage was reported in Hurstville LGA, with 96.6% of 236 children recorded as fully vaccinated.

Read full Third Quarter 2020 report here. 

Set up AIR access for providers and organisations 

New information is now available for different immunisation providers and organisations about accessing the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). This information aims to assist providers in self-servicing when creating their PRODA account for access to the AIR and includes advice on how to link a PRODA account to the AIR. 

How you set up your access to the AIR depends on how AIR recognises you as a user:

• how to set up your access to the AIR if you’re a medical practitioner, midwife or nurse practitioner.
• how to set up access to the AIR as a delegate of a medical practitioner, midwife or nurse practitioner.
• how to set up access to the AIR as a member of a medical practice or organisation.

Visit the Services Australia website for further information.

NCIRS webinar: SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development: is a finish line in sight? 

Register now for this special edition webinar discussing the latest developments in the journey towards COVID-19 vaccines – for both Australia and the world.

Date: Monday 23 November 2020 
Time: 7:00pm – 8:30 pm AEDT

Join NCIRS’s outstanding speakers and panel to:

• gain an understanding of the current COVID-19 vaccine development landscape, clinical trials and next steps in vaccine deployment
• hear an overview of and update on the Oxford Vaccine Group–Astra Zeneca ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine development 
• learn about the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations’ COVAX response to COVID-19 
• hear about where we are now in Australia and internationally, and realistic expectations for the next 6–12 months
• consider the ethical and logistical implications of global vaccine implementation, specifically approaches for the Indo-Pacific region 

There will be opportunity for questions and discussion.Register here for webinar. 

Proposed amendments to the Australian Immunisation Register Act 2015

Public consultation on the proposed amendment to the Australian Immunisation Register Act 2015 is now closed.

The amendment proposed would make it mandatory for all vaccination providers to report vaccines given to the Australian Immunisation Register. 

What would change, and when?

• the proposed change: all vaccination providers will be required to report vaccines administered to all individuals in Australia to the AIR at the time of vaccination
• the proposed timing: COVID-19 vaccinations and influenza vaccinations from 1 March 2021; all NIP vaccinations from 1 July 2021
• the compliance measures: Education and support; Public disclosure of vaccination providers who fail to report; Suspension of the provision of NIP vaccines; Penalty provisions.

Read full document.

NSW Vaccine Centre: reminder to record provider numbers 

All immunisation service providers are now required to record the Medicare provider number* of each health professional administering vaccines at the practice on the NSW Vaccine Centre webpage, from 5 November 2020.

Why have these changes been made?

• to support roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination program when a vaccine becomes available.
• to ensure NSW Health can track the journey of every vaccine dose distributed from the warehouse, administered to the patient and reported to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

It will not be used for Medicare billing purposes.

*The provider number is a unique number issued to health professionals at each location they work and does not expire. 

 See full communication  from NSW Health.

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Download the new NSW Immunisation Schedule – July 2020  

Keep up to date with Immunisation information on our PHN Immunisation webpage

Keep up to date with coronavirus information on our PHN Coronavirus webpage.