Immunisation weekly update – 2 June 2021

2 June 2021

Pop quiz

Test your knowledge on this year’s influenza vaccination program in this week’s Influenza 2021 Quiz! Part 1

Share quiz with your colleagues for a fun challenge, or as an activity at your next staff meeting! 

Check out other Immunisation Pop Quiz on our Education webpage. 

Expansion of COVID-19 vaccine rollout in general practices

 Up to 900 additional general practices across Australia will be brought on board to administer the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in areas where access has been limited.

Areas of need have been identified through modelling and analysis completed by the Australian Government, states, territories and Primary Health Networks (PHNs). Practices located within and around regions identified as having limited access to the AstraZeneca vaccine will be prioritised to be brought on-board in the first instance.

These practices will be brought into the program from mid-June.

Read the EOI and media release.

AIR Authentication file – closing dates

Authentication file access to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) is being phased out and providers need to transition to PRODA. With a PRODA account, health professionals can access the AIR using Health Professional Online Services.

Access to the AIR using authentication files will be switched off according to the following schedule:

• 31 May 2021: Commercial providers, flying doctors services and private hospitals
• 30 June 2021: State health departments, public health units, public hospitals, pharmacies
• 30 Sept 2021: Medical practitioners, nurse practitioners, midwives, general/medical practices, Aboriginal Health Services, community health centres, councils

Further information available on the Services Australia website:

• Register for a PRODA account
• Set up access to HPOS
• Supporting and understanding delegations in HPOS to enable access to the Australian Immunisation Register

For health professionals who access the AIR as a member of an organisation, you can also find out how to register an organisation in PRODA and link HPOS to your organisation so members can access the AIR.

The full news item regarding closure of authentication files is available on the Services Australia website.

Influenza vaccination in pregnancy

Babies under six months of age are more likely to be hospitalised with influenza than any other age group. These babies are too young to get the influenza vaccine themselves.

The best way to protect newborn babies against influenza is to get vaccinated during pregnancy. By getting vaccinated, protective antibodies are passed on to babies through the placenta which protects them in their first few months of life, when they are most vulnerable.

The vaccine is free for pregnant women through the National Immunisation Program and can safely be given at any stage during pregnancy.

Order free 2021 influenza vaccination in pregnancy brochures.

Interruption to vaccination

Interruption to COVID-19 vaccination and advice for re-vaccination

If the process of administering a vaccine intramuscularly is interrupted (such as by syringe-needle disconnection) and most of the dose has not been given, repeat the whole dose as soon as practicable. If most of the dose has been given, repeat dosing is not required. If there is uncertainty, it is acceptable to administer a repeat whole dose.

See COVID-19 vaccine – Clinical considerations

Interruption to oral vaccination (rotavirus)

• If an infant spits out or vomits most of an oral rotavirus vaccine dose within minutes of administration, they can receive a single repeat dose during the same visit.
• If an infant spits out or vomits only a small part of an oral rotavirus vaccine dose, there is no need to repeat the dose. The regurgitated (and incomplete volume) dose is still considered as the valid dose.

See Australian Immunisation Handbook

Vaccination our ticket out of COVID-19 pandemic

Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly released a statement about COVID-19 vaccination: Vaccination our ticket out of COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for Australians to get vaccinated now. Below are some key points from the statement:

• Genomic testing in Victoria’s outbreak has confirmed some people have contracted a variant of the virus linked to the outbreak in India that is highly transmissible.
• It is inevitable at some point there will be sustained outbreaks in our community – it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.
• The COVID-19 vaccines available in Australia are both extremely effective at providing protection against the severe forms of COVID-19 related illness, including death.
• Vaccines also reduce the transmission of the virus to others.
• If you are eligible to be vaccinated, don’t wait, get the jab.

COVID-19 live stream update for GPs

Join the latest COVID-19 vaccine live stream update for GPs.

The panel will provide latest key updates and answer participants’ questions live about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. 

 
Details: Thursday 2 June, 11:30am (AEDT) | Click link to join

Get involved by submitting questions and comments!

Catch up on previous webinars 

New resources

COVID-19 vaccines: common questions (1 June)

This fact sheet provides accurate, evidence-based answers to common questions about COVID-19 vaccines. It also answers questions for multicultural communities.

Vaccine dose policy (30 May)

This policy provides guidance on administering COVID-19 vaccines in aged care facilities. It includes information about managing excess doses, make up doses and alternative access to vaccination.

Dose policy fact sheet for aged care workers (30 May)

This policy provides guidance to assist aged care workers aged under 50 years on getting a first dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a second dose vaccination clinic, where doses are available.

Targeted expression of interested EOI for General Practices (AstraZeneca) (27 May)

The Commonwealth is further expanding participation in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program through general practices to up to 900 additional sites.

How disability workers can get a COVID-19 vaccine (27 May)

How people with disability in a group residential setting can get a COVID-19 vaccine (27 May)