Immunisation weekly update – 12 April 2023

Vaccines must be protected from light

Vaccines may lose potency if exposed to light, including direct sunlight, UV light, or fluorescent light. Patients who have received a light exposed vaccine may need to be revaccinated with the same vaccine as the vaccine may be less effective. Practices should immediately contact their Public Health Unit for revaccination advice.

• Vaccines MUST be stored in their cardboard original packaging to protect vaccines light exposure.
• Vaccines MUST NOT be removed from the original cardboard packaging to increase refrigerator capacity, including influenza vaccines during winter season.

Reporting a light-exposure breach – if vaccines have been exposed to light:

1. Keep vaccines in fridge and label with ‘Do not use, Do not discard’ isolated from other vaccines
2. Use the Cold Chain Breach and Vaccine Wastage Reporting Form to report all light exposure breaches to your local Public Health Unit. 
3. Include information about how long the vaccines have been stored outside of their original cardboard packaging and if patients were vaccinated with potentially light affected vaccines.

How to prevent a light-exposure breach:

• Practices must consider the volume of vaccines required during peak times.
• Vaccine refrigerators must have capacity to store 1 months’ supply of NIP and private vaccine stock (if required).
• Practices may require additional vaccine storage capacity to meet demand during the influenza season, consider hiring or purchasing additional purpose-built refrigerator.
• Practices are required to complete the NSW Health Safe Vaccine Storage Checklist

NEW: Order free childhood immunisation resources

See new resource collection for the “One more way you keep them safe” childhood Immunisation campaign:

• Order free brochures – order now
• Order free fridge magnets – order now
• Download and print posters – download here

     

NEW: Order free influenza resources

This resource collection provide information about getting vaccinated against influenza in 2023.

Order free resources:

• Consumer Factsheet – Why does my child need a flu shot? – order now
• Consumer Pamphlet – Ask about the flu vaccine today – order now
• Provider Factsheet – Program advice for vaccination providers – order now
• Poster – Fighting flu starts with you – order now
• Poster – Flu in kids can be serious – order now
• Poster – Let’s keep our mob safe from flu – order now
• Brochure – Protecting your baby against influenza – order now
• Poster – Protecting your baby against influenza – order now

Download and print resources:

• Consumer Factsheet – Fighting flu starts with you – download here
• Provider Factsheet – ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2023 – download here

NEW: Provider resources for First Nations’ people

First Nations people are more likely to experience severe influenza, and vaccination providers have an important role to play by offering and recommending the influenza vaccine. The vaccine is provided free to all First Nations adults and children aged 6 months and over.

New culturally appropriate resources are available to help vaccination providers have supportive conversations about influenza vaccination with First Nations families. The new resources include:

• Conversation guide: SKAI & NCIRS: Talking about flu vaccination with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
• Information sheet: NCIRS: Flu Vaccine Information Sheet for healthcare providers to use when discussing vaccination with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Collection of resources: Summary of culturally appropriate vaccination information tools and communication resources designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Use these resources and other helpful links through the following webpage: Supporting conversations about vaccinations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait people.

New AIR influenza vaccine codes

There are two brands of flu vaccine that are available both on the NIP and the private market. These vaccines now have their own AIR vaccine names and codes to improve monitoring and compliance of flu vaccine administration.

Practices should be using the latest version their clinical software which will have the new AIR vaccine codes. If the clinical software is not yet updated, new vaccine codes must be manually recorded through the online AIR site via PRODA.

See full list of AIR vaccine codes.

The ATAGI influenza vaccine table outlines which brands are funded on the NIP and indicates suitability by age group. It is important to give the correct brand based on the patients’ age. Immunisation providers that record a vaccine brand that is not suitable for use in that age groupwill be contacted. See information sheet for more details.

COVID-19 Vaccine – Claims Scheme

This collection contains the COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme policy, as well as other supporting documents related to the scheme.

• Policy – The policy sets out the rules that govern the new COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme.
• Overview – This document outlines the details of COVID-19 vaccines claims scheme to reimburse people who suffer a moderate to significant impact following an adverse reaction to an approved COVID-19 vaccine.
• Frequently asked questions – This document outlines the frequently asked questions of COVID-19 vaccines claims scheme to reimburse people who suffer a moderate to significant impact following an adverse reaction to an approved COVID-19 vaccine.
• Guidance for conditions – This document sets out points to consider for doctors providing clinical opinion in support of COVID-19 vaccine injury claims following vaccination with a TGA approved vaccine.
• Guidance for injuries caused by vaccine administration – This document sets out points to consider for doctors providing clinical opinion in support of COVID-19 vaccine injury claims following vaccination with a TGA approved vaccine.

Teen COVID vax – What to consider when parents say no

Children and young people represent more than a quarter of active cases of COVID-19 in Australia. While COVID vaccine coverage is much lower in younger age groups, some young people wish to be vaccinated for COVID even when their parents do not agree. How vaccine providers respond poses a number of practical, ethical and legal considerations. Find out more on the APNA website about how to approach this ethical quandary.

COVID-19 vaccine “Top Up” campaign

See resources from the recent COVID-19 vaccine Top Up campaign:

• Top up your COVID-19 protection
• Top up your COVID-19 protection – Resources for First Nations people

VCF Connect user guide

Vaccine Clinic Finder (VCF) Connect allows vaccination providers to self-manage vaccination service information. See latest User Guide March 2023.

Register for free now