Immunisation
Overview
The Hawkesbury-Hills Division of General Practice Immunisation Program has an overall goal of improving immunisation rates across the Division. Our aim is to assist practices achieve and maintain immunisation coverage rates of 90% or higher.
The focus of the immunisation program is to support and encourage participation of general practitioners in the General Practice Immunisation Incentive (GPII) scheme as part of the National Immunisation Program.
The HHDGP also has a strong focus on providing GPs and practice staff with a high level of education regarding Cold Chain Management.
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General Practice Immunisation Incentive Scheme
What is GPII?
- The General Practice Immunisation Incentives (GPII) scheme provides financial incentives to General Practitioners (GPs) who monitor, promote and provide immunisation services to children under the age of seven years.
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The GPII scheme is made up of three components:
- An Outcomes Payment-$ 6.00 for each age based vaccination schedule that is reported to ACIR
- Outcomes Bonus Payment $3.50 for each Whole Patient Equivalent (WPE) if the practice coverage rate is least 90% and the WPE is at least 10.
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Improving Immunisation coverage rates
Rates are calculated quarterly according to data supplied to the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register. We aim to improve the immunisation coverage rates across Hawkesbury-Hills greater than 90%.
HHDGP supports practices to improve their immunisation coverage rates by providing practice visits to:
1. Educate GPs and practice staff on how to use the ACIR secure internet site to report immunisations.
2. Data cleaning & educating staff on how to maintain Immunisation practice data.
Click here if you would like to download information on how to increase childhood immunisation coverage rates in your practice. GP’s and practice staff also have access to ACIR information maintained by Medicare Australia. Click here if you require further information on ACIR, including all related forms, requesting access to the ACIR secure site and the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register.
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Vaccine Managment (Cold Chain)
Cold Chain is the process of transporting and storing vaccines within the safe temperature range of 2 - 8 degrees from the place of manufacture to the point of administration.
Management of the cold chain within your practice is vital to ensure the effectiveness of the vaccines. The vaccines must be stored between 2-8 degrees.
All GP’s and practice staff should be familiar with the current National Vaccine Storage Guidelines "STRIVE FOR 5". Click here to download the "STRIVE FOR 5" guidelines, and click here to download the Australian Immunisation 9th Edition Handbook.
The Division can assist practices with Cold Chain Management. Please contact your practice support officer for further information or to make an appointment for an onsite visit regarding the following:
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Immunisation Updates and News
Changes to the Eligibility Criteria for Funded HPV Vaccine
The Australian Government has recently reviewed and clarified the eligibility criteria for free HPV vaccine. Women who receive the first dose of HPV vaccine before they turn 27 years of age are eligible to receive free vaccine for all three doses. However, all three doses must be given before completion of the program in June 2009.
Remember:
- women must receive their first dose before turning 27 years of age
- must complete all three doses before the end of June 2009
NSW Immunisation Schedule (issued in Sept 2007)
Click here to download the latest National Immuinsation Schedule.
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NSW Health Vaccine Order Form
Click here to download the "vaccine order form" to order and/or replenish vaccine stocks and refer to the NSW Health Department.
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Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Program (HPV)
The National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Program commenced in April 2007. The program provides free HPV vaccine to females aged 12 to 26 years through the National Immunisation Program.
Eligibility
From April 2007, free HPV vaccine will be provided through school-based programs for:
• females aged between 12 and 13 years (ongoing program); and
• females aged between 13 and 18 years – until the end of the school year in 2008 (catch-up program).
HPV Resources
Click here to download "National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Program Summary for General Practice".
Click here to download "HPV Question & Answers" predominantly for the school based program.
Please contact your Practice Support Officer at the Division if you require additional information and/or support in this area.
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The Australian Immunisation 9th Edition Handbook
Click here to review or download the Australian Immunisation 9th Edition Handbook.
Immunisation Myths and Realities: Responding to arguments against Immunisation 4th edition
Click here to download.
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Websites for Health Professionals
• Immunise Australia
http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/
• Australian Childhod Immunisation Register
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/yourhealth/our_services/aacir.shtml
• National Centre for Immunisation Research S
http://www.ncirs.usyd.edu.au/index.html
• NSW Health
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/living/immunisation/immunise_prog/index.html
• Sydney West Area Health
http://www.swahs.nsw.gov.au/
• The National HPV Vaccination Program
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/standby/publishing.nsf/Content/home
• Royal Austalian College of General Practice - Standard on Vaccine Potency
http://www.racgp.org.au/standards/532
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Last Updated 24/12/08
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