Are your patients eligible for home COVID-19 vaccination?

A nurse immuniser from the Northern NSW Local Health District can now visit eligible people in their homes to give a COVID-19 vaccine. Your patients may be eligible if they: have an injury, long-term health issue or condition that makes it hard for them to move around or leave home have a disability are a

Changes to the National Cervical Screening Program announced

Women eligible for a screening test under the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) will be able to self-collect their own screening sample (accessed through their primary healthcare provider) from 1 July 2022. Self-collection was originally introduced in December 2017 as part of the renewed NCSP, but access is currently restricted to: women who have never

Course in vaccinology and immunisation science

The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) are offering a course in vaccinology and immunisation science. This practical online course is for people relatively new to vaccines and for those wanting to broaden and update their understanding of vaccines, vaccine development and the principles

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: manchealth Password: conn3ct3d

Help patients breathe their best this spring

Managing asthma and allergies is an important part of asthma care. As we move into the spring season, health professionals play a critical role in providing information and support to people with asthma, particularly with current COVID-19 conditions, and the difficulty of asthma and COVID-19 symptoms being similar. Asthma Australia has developed new resources to

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

How well would you rate your LGBTQ service delivery?

ACON’s Pride in Health + Wellbeing program is asking organisations to register their interest in participating in its 2022 Health + Wellbeing Equality Index. The free national annual index can help participants gain insights into their inclusion programs from a staff and client perspective. It can assist service providers and primary health services to baseline

Shining a light on dementia, its diagnosis and treatment

Dementia Action Week runs from 20–26 September 2021. Its campaign, ‘A little support makes a big difference’, highlights that many people living with dementia can continue to live well for many years after their diagnosis. Dementia is the leading cause of death for women and behind only heart disease as the leading cause of death

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

Lismore Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Want to help your patients breathe a little easier? Did you know that a pulmonary rehabilitation program is best practice for someone who has chronic lung disease? Currently only a tiny proportion of those who may benefit in the community are ever referred. The Lismore Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program has solutions to make it easier for

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