Immunisation
SNHN aims to reduce the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases in the community by providing information on the National Immunisation Program and support to immunisation providers and the community. In collaboration with the Northern Sydney Public Health Unit, we can identify areas with lower immunisation rates, support strategies including data cleansing, cold chain management and use of AIR reports to aspire to rates above 95%.
Contact
Our PCA team is available to visit practices.
Sandra Collins – T: (02) 9432 8234 | E: scollins@snhn.org.au
Kim Kindler – T: (02) 9432 8227 | E: kkindler@snhn.org.au
NSW Health Advice for Immunisation Services during COVID-19
- NSW Health would like to emphasise the importance of continuing to immunise children and adults against other infectious diseases in the context of COVID-19.
- Now more than ever, it is important to maintain high vaccination coverage levels to prevent outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases in the community.
- Immunisation providers are usually recommended to vaccinate children who have minor illnesses (without acute systemic symptoms/signs). In the setting of the COVID-19 outbreak, immunisation providers should consider deferring routine immunisations for children with respiratory symptoms.
For further information please go to:
About AIR
AIR is the register of vaccinations given to people of all ages in Australia, and supersedes the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR). AIR records vaccinations given through general practices and community clinics; it does not include those provided through school vaccination programs (catch up HepB, varicella, dTP). As of 1st January 2019, all records held in the HPV Register have been transferred to the AIR.
People of all ages enrolled in Medicare are automatically included on the AIR.
It does not automatically update retrospective vaccinations. Read more about AIR history.
An AIR logon enables GPs to:
- Check patient records
- Update records instantly, including overseas history
- Request reports to help cleanse data
- Email enquiries and request amendments of records to AIR by secure email
Foreign language terms for translating immunisation records – Centers for Disease Prevention and Control
Pharmacist Application to register as a vaccination provider
If you have already registered but lost your logon details, please email air@humanservices.gov.au or contact the AIR support line on
1300 650 039.
Alerts and Updates
- COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
- Measles fact sheet and checklist (RACGP)
- Measles update NSW Health – Apr 2019
- Measles vaccination catch-up guide
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough) NSW Health Alert – Nov 2018
- Meningococcal ACWY vaccine in 15-19 year olds
- National Shingles Vaccination Program
- Hepatitis B shortage
SEASONAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION 2020
- Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Information
- Free Influenza vaccination for the under 5’s
- Information for Healthcare Workers
- The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone from six months of age. You might be interested in reading this article: “Millions of Australian adults are unvaccinated and it’s increasing disease risk for all of us“.
HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) VACCINE
- Australian Government Information
- Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
- NSW Government Information
- HPV Register (now AIR) Information
- New access arrangements under NIP Supporting No Jab No Pay, National Immunisation Program – Expansion for refugees and humanitarian entrants aged 20 years and over in addition to free catch-up vaccines for all individuals aged 10 to 19 years – July 11 2017 – see Resources.
- NSW Vaccination Centre – online ordering
- The URL of the NSW Vaccine Ordering System has changed to https://nsw.tollhealthcare.com/
- Please save this URL in your favourites. The new URL is operational and users should move to it as soon as possible.
- Phone 1300 656 132 and fax 1800 041 528 remain the same.
This App is an easy-to-use reminder tool to help parents ensure their children are vaccinated on time. Just enter your child’s name, date of birth and postcode and the app creates a personalised immunisation schedule and sends you a series of reminders when it’s time to book appointments.
The app is intended as a planning and reminder tool. Complete records of the vaccinations your child has received are available from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) on 1800 653 809.
Resources
- Australian Immunisation Handbook
- Department of Health – Immunisation for health professionals
- NSW Immunisation Schedule
- NSW Childhood Immunisation Schedule by Product poster
- National Immunisation Program Schedule changes 1st July 2020
- Pneumococcal vaccination schedule – clinical decision tree
- Immunisation catch up calculator
- National Immunisation Program: Free catch-up vaccines for all individuals aged 10 to 19 years (ongoing)
- Following vaccination – what to expect and what to do
(tear off pads, patient resource)
This resource is an updated version of the previous “common reactions” pad and provides easy-to-read information on common reactions that may occur after vaccinations. It is available to download as a PDF or to order as a tear-off pad from the Department of Health website.
- Public Health Unit (Northern Sydney)
1300 066 055 or fax: 9477 9019
The Public Health Unit provides health protection services to the people of the Northern Sydney Local Health District which extends from Sydney Harbour to the Hawkesbury River.
- NSW Specialist Immunisation Service Advice Line
1800 679 477
For advice regarding immunisation for patients with complex or unusual medical backgrounds or who have had an adverse event following immunisation. - Get the facts – Immunisation saves lives brochure
- NSW Health website for immunisation providers
- NSW Immunisation Resources Order Form – Feb 2016
- Immunise Australia resources for health professionals
- Catch up schedules
- National Immunisation Program: Free catch-up vaccines for refugees and other humanitarian entrants aged 20 years and over
- Ordering Vaccines
- Smart Traveller Australian Government Website
General information about overseas travel with specific information about necessary vaccinations and health precautions for people travelling abroad.
Cold Chain Management
Domestic fridges are no longer considered appropriate for vaccine storage. Therefore, providers that have domestic or bar fridge should make arrangements to purchase a purpose built vaccine refrigerator to continue to receive government-funded vaccines.
All practices are now required to perform weekly data logging. Information on data loggers is available through the public health unit.
Community Information
Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting you and your family against harmful diseases that can cause serious health problems and sometimes death.
- Accessing your child’s Immunisation History Statement
- No Jab No Pay – Free catch up vaccines are available for children up to 19 years of age
- Immunisation Fact Sheets
- Pregnancy and influenza
- National Shingles Vaccination Program brochure
- Save the Date to Vaccinate
Local Council Immunisation Clinics
