Updated NSW Immunisation Schedule
The NSW Immunisation Schedule has been updated and is now available on the NSW Health website. The updated schedule includes the extension of the shingles catch-up program until 31 October 2023. For clinical guidance on immunisation visit: HealthPathways: Immunisation Username:Â manchealth Password:Â conn3ct3d
ATAGI recommends booster doses for those aged 18-plus
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine for people who are aged 18 years and over. The recommendation follows this week’s Therapeutic Goods Administration provisional approval of the Pfizer vaccine booster doses for those aged 18-plus. In a statement, ATAGI said booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine
Recording batch numbers for COVID-19 vaccines
Under the Australian Immunisation Register Act 2015 (AIR Act), it is mandatory for all vaccination providers to report any COVID-19 vaccinations administrated on or after 20 February 2021 to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), including: personal information: Medicare number (if applicable), name, contact details, date of birth, gender vaccine information: brand name, dose number and
Applications open for additional COVID-19 vaccination providers
As part of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout program, businesses are now able to team up with vaccination providers to administer jabs to staff at their workplace. The Australian Government is requesting tenders for the Vaccine Administration Partners Program. The program will establish a panel of accredited COVID-19 vaccination providers that can be accessed by government
Nurse Immuniser course available at no cost
The University of Melbourne is offering Australian Government-funded places for registered nurses with one year of clinical experience (minimum) to complete the Nurse Immuniser short course free of charge (conditions apply). The Nurse Immuniser short course is based on the National Immunisation Education Framework for Health Professionals. It has been accredited by Health Education Services
Dr Marion Lynn giving old school care to rural and regional communities
Dr Marion Lynn is working hard to vaccinate difficult-to-reach patients and workers in rural and regional areas. Before the pandemic, the roving doctor established an outreach clinic in Comboyne, 57 kms south-west of Port Macquarie. One day a week she drives there from her Port Macquarie practice to ensure everyone in the town wanting a
New evidence about COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness
A recent study of UK data showed that both Pfizer and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines maintain high levels of effectiveness against the Delta variant after two doses. ‘This is good news for primary care, as we can be confident in advising patients of the benefits they will receive from the vaccines,’ says HealthPathways Clinical Editor Dr
COVID-19 vaccination rates growing in the North Coast
Nearly 195,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given across the North Coast since the national vaccination program commenced. The North Coast is on par with state and national averages and it’s great to see vaccination rates have increased over the past week. The Australian Government’s most recent geographic vaccination rates show more than 45% of
Have your say on the proposed changes to the cervical screening self-collection policy
In May 2021, the Medical Services Advisory Committee recommended to government that self-collection be expanded to be offered as a choice to all people eligible for cervical screening. A decision on this recommendation is awaited, but the change could potentially be introduced sometime in 2022. Currently, the self-collection pathway is available to under and never-screened
Boosting bowel cancer screening in LGBTQ communities
Much-loved LGBTQ community figures are fronting a new bowel cancer screening awareness campaign targeting people of diverse sexualities and genders. Get Your Kit Together aims to raise awareness of bowel cancer and the importance of regular bowel screening, and increase screening rates among LGBTQ people aged 50–74 in NSW. https://youtu.be/vm7TXz16bNw Adopting a fun and engaging
New vaccination clinical guidance
Seasonal influenza vaccines ATAGI has issued updated advice on the relative timing of administering influenza vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. The preferred minimum interval between a dose of influenza vaccine and a dose of either Pfizer vaccine or AstraZeneca vaccine is now 7 days (previously 14 days). In some situations, a shorter interval (including
Webinar recording available: Making the most of the Australian Immunisation Register
Did you miss our Immunisation Community of Practice webinar on 26 May? This month’s topic was ‘Making the most of the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)‘. Carolyn Lloyd (Immunisation Coordinator, North Coast Public Health Unit) presented an interactive, live demonstration on the AIR site and explained how to add immunisations (including those given overseas), access a patient
