Reporting

In Queensland, health practitioners are required to report COVID-19 AEFI to Queensland Health which will report them to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Medicines Regulation Division as well.

Depending on the type of health provider, there are multiple ways for Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) for COVID-19 Vaccinations to be reported to Queensland Health.

For further details visit the Queensland Health Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI) page.

Community pharmacies are also participating in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and the concessional RAT program.

Locate vaccinating pharmacy

Your local HealthPathways portal provides the latest information about the clinical aspects of COVID-19 vaccination, including advice, delivery, and follow‑up. GPs are encouraged to check they have access to HealthPathways.

To ensure continued access to COVID-19 primary course and booster vaccinations, Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN can provide reimbursement to general practices for COVID vaccinations administered to non-Medicare eligible patients.

When a general practice makes a claim for a non-Medicare eligible vaccination, the reimbursements will be made directly to the practice and in line with the prescribed MBS equivalent and PIP payments where required.

To register as a payee please complete the New Vendor Information Form and provide this with the first reimbursement request.

All reimbursement requests must include the following to be processed:

• Non-MBS Vaccination Claim Form for each patient
• Invoice for services provided, to match the selection on the Claim Form/s
  • Invoice must be made out to the following:
    Sunshine Coast Health Network Ltd
    PO Box 3067
    Maroochydore QLD 4558
    ABN: 21 156 526 706

All reimbursement requests are to be submitted within 2 weeks of the date of service.  Following receipt of the required documentation, eligible payments will be made within 30 days.

Please submit all reimbursement requests and any queries to PracSupport@ourphn.org.au

• New Vendor Information Form
• Non-MBS Claim Form

Record of vaccination

People can access evidence of their COVID-19 vaccines in their immunisation history record through Medicare Online, myGov or the Express Plus Medicare app. Vaccination providers can also print an Immunisation History Statement (IHS) on behalf of their patient.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

Department of Health COVID-19 vaccination information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

ATAGI Clinical Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Errors

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has developed guidelines to provide advice on the management of a range of possible vaccine administration errors.

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/03/atagi-clinical-guidance-on-covid-19-vaccine-administration-errors.pdf

Cancer Australia

Cancer Australia has released information on the COVID-19 vaccines for people affected by cancer.

Clinical Excellence Queensland

Clinical Excellence Queensland has a range of COVID-19 vaccine digital resources and explanatory notes containing valuable clinical information, which are also suitable for sharing with your patients. Access and download them here. 

Department of Health documents

• ATAGI provider guide to COVID-19 vaccination of people with immunocompromise
• Clinical guidance on use of COVID-19 vaccine in Australia in 2021
• Preparing for COVID-19 vaccination
• Consent – information for providers: COVID-19 vaccination consent and FAQs
• Information on COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine

Queensland Health COVID-19 information for Queensland clinicians

COVID-19 information for Queensland clinicians

This page hosts the latest available information to assist Queensland clinicians to respond to the evolving COVID-19 situation in Queensland and is updated as new or changed information comes to hand.

RACGP vaccination resources

The RACGP has created a COVID-19 vaccine information page for GPs that will be regularly updated.

Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS)

• Joint statement from ATAGI and THANZ
  ATAGI and THANZ have published a joint statement on Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) and the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The statement provides greater clarity on the nature of TTS and narrows the conditions determined to be contraindications for use of the vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccination training modules, mandatory for all authorised COVID-19 vaccination providers, are online at covid19vaccinationtraining.org.au.

The training is also available to non-clinical and administration staff who can access the non-clinical modules of the training such as handling, storage and administration.

Further information here.

The PHN has developed a Vaccination Preparation Pack to assist general practitioners, practice nurses and practice managers in delivering a successful mass vaccination program. It also contains checklists which can be used as evidence for accreditation and quality improvement activities.

• Part One: Preparing your practice policies and protocols [Word] [PDF]
• Part Two: Internal preparation for your team [Word] [PDF]
• Part Three: Identifying eligible patients and planning the patient vaccination journey [Word] [PDF]
• Part Four: Preparing and implementing a vaccination clinic [Word] [PDF]
• Checklist to support non-vaccinating practices: Preparing your patients for COVID-19 vaccination at an alternative location [Word] [PDF]

The COVID-19 vaccination program is well underway. Everyone 5 years and over can now book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. To learn more about the vaccine rollout, COVID-19 vaccines and getting vaccinated visit the Department of Health COVID-19 vaccine website.

• COVID-19 vaccine website
• https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/booking/

Managing Excess Stock (copied from bulletin December 7^th)

“The Taskforce is continuing to actively work with vaccination providers to manage excess vaccine stock on hand, and we encourage you to continue reaching out to your local networks to assist with identifying and transferring excess vaccines to sites that are able to use them.

If you are unable to relocate excess doses locally, please contact the Vaccine Operations Centre (VOC) from 7am to 10pm (AEDT) or email covid19vaccineoperationscentre@health.gov.au for assistance.

Expired Stock Management (copied from bulletin October 27^th)

In the event that your doses have expired, please:

• refer to the COVID-19 Vaccination Training which gives details on how to dispose of vaccines, and
• remember to report wastage through the COVID-19 Vaccine Administrative System (CVAS)
• wastage less than 5 vials should be reported in your Vaccine Stock Management Report; and
• wastage of 5 vias and over should also be reported within the Wastage Report
• speaking with the VOC when you cannot relocate excess doses locally
• the VOC is open from 7am to 10pm (AEDT) via phone 1800 318 208 or by email covid19vaccineoperationscentre@health.gov.au for assistance.

Reminder of the process for managing extra Astra Zeneca vaccines

In response to ongoing enquiries about excess AstraZeneca doses, the National COVID Vaccine Taskforce have developed a process to collect some excess doses. The Department may be able to organise collection of the excess vaccines in your region, with the support of the PHN. If you have excess Astra Zeneca Stock with an expiry of 56 days or more please complete the Microsoft form to assist us in managing. Please also complete if you have vaccines with an expiry of less than 56 days although it is unlikely that these will be redistributed. If the doses are able to be collected, the Vaccine Operations Centre (VOC) will work with practices to organise pick-up.

Please be advised that while every effort will be made to collect or redistribute these excess vaccines, this may not be possible in all circumstances, and we appreciate your patience and understanding in this respect.

Please contact your Primary Health Care Officer or pracsupport@ourphn.org.au should you have any enquiries.

Further information regarding transferring stock to other sites can be found on the Department’s website (which has been recently updated).