• National vaccine storage guidelines – please refer to the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’
• Immunisation service provider’s checklist here. Providers are required to carry out a self-audit at least once every 12 months.
• With consideration to the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing alternative models of providing immunisation services for patients is considerable across practice sites. The need for short-term mobile storage arrangements can be here. This may be considered for example, in a drive through carpark clinic.

• Visit the Health Professional Online Services (HPOS) page of the AIR website to check your patient’s immunisation history before you vaccinate.
• The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) has resources for health professionals including, webinar series, patient communication resources, fact sheets, FAQs, vaccine safety, coverage data and reports and Australian Immunisation Handbook.

Additional resources providing information on influenza vaccination for 2022 including why and when influenza vaccination should occur, eligibility for influenza under the National Immunisation Program, influenza activity surveillance and influenza vaccine safety can be found here:

• ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2022
• immunisationcoalition.org.au

Updates are available for MD, BP and Zedmed users to ensure the accurate recording of the vaccine in the patients notes as well as on the Australian Immunisation Register.

Information on how to install these updates can be found on software websites.

2022

• coming soon

2020

• Wide Bay Public Health Unit Immunisation Update as of July 1
• PHN webinar recording:
  • Changes to the National Immunisation Program from 1 July 2020 – What you need to know (Sunshine Coast)
  • Changes to the National Immunisation Program from 1 July 2020 – What you need to know (Central Queensland)

• National Immunisation Program Schedule
• Immunisation Schedule Queensland 
• ATAGI clinical advice on the changes to vaccine recommendations and funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 1 July 2020
• ATAGI clinical advice on changes to vaccine recommendations for older non-Indigenous adults from 1 July 2020
• Additional Funded Vaccines 
• School Immunisation Program 
• Recommended pneumococcal vaccinations in adults
• Meningococcal ACWY program FAQs
• Scenario and Checklist: “Child not up to date according to Centrelink”
• NIP Expansion Provider Factsheet - Refugees and Humanitarian Entrants

• Adverse Event reporting form
• What to expect and what to do following vaccinations
• Comparison of the effects of diseases and the side effects of vaccines
• Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
  This short 12 minute presentation provides in-depth information about SIRVA, correct vaccination techniques and how to avoid this injury. https://www.ncirs.org.au/education-and-training/presentations-adverse-events-following-immunisation

• Accessing the AIR using PRODA
• Help Using AIR Online
• eLearning Program for health professionals: Australian Immunisation Register for vaccination providers
• How to get an immunisation statement for yourself or your child
  
  • myGov
  • Express Plus Medicare mobile app
• Useful Contacts
  
  • AIR Enquiries Line
    
    • 1800 653 809
    • Mon - Fri, 8 am - 5 pm local time
  • MyGov help desk
    
    • 132 307
    • Mon - Fri, 7 am - 10 pm
    • Sat - Sun, 10 am - 5 pm
• Requesting and viewing the COVID-19 Status Report (AIR 042A report)

Vaccine Management

• National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’
• National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’, Appendix 2 - Vaccine Storage Self Audit

Resources

• DoH Sticker 1
• DoH Sticker 2
• DoH Sticker 3
• Quick Reference Poster
• Temperature chart

Vaccine Ordering

Queensland Health Immunisation Program has implemented an email-only vaccine ordering and enquiry arrangement. The Immunisation Program telephone number — 07 3328 9888 now only contains a recorded message. All enquiries should be provided by email.

To order vaccines, registered immunisation providers should complete the vaccine order form  and email it to QHIP-ADMIN@health.qld.gov.au. Alternatively you can email the completed form directly by using the “Click Here” button at the top of the form. Only “Reset” the form after it has been sent. You will be contacted if there is a query about your order.

Vaccine ordering – School Immunisation Program (SIP)

To order vaccines for the School Immunisation Program, please complete a SIP vaccine order form and email to QHIP-Sbvp@health.qld.gov.au.

Discarding or transferring vaccines

To discard or transfer vaccines, complete a vaccine discard or transfer form and email to QHIP-ADMIN@health.qld.gov.au.

Reporting vaccine delivery failures

If your delivered vaccines have not been packed appropriately or the temperature monitors have been activated, do not use the vaccines. Isolate the vaccine delivery in your vaccine fridge. Complete a vaccine delivery reporting form and send the form to immunisation@health.qld.gov.au. Please write ‘VACCINE DELIVERY REPORT’ in the email subject line. The Immunisation Program will respond to your email with further advice.

Enquiries

If you have an enquiry for the Immunisation Program, email QHIP-ADMIN@health.qld.gov.au. Please include a topic in the subject line to assist in responding to your request. If the matter is urgent, please include “URGENT” in the email subject line.

Cold Chain Breach Protocol and Resources

Cold Chain Breach Protocol as per the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’

1. Immediately isolate the vaccines and prepare to transfer them into temporary monitored vaccine storage, if necessary. Start conditioning ice packs/gel packs.
2. Keep vaccines refrigerated between +2°C and +8°C for as long as possible, and label them ‘Do not use’ while preparing to transfer them.
3. Report a cold chain breach to QLD Health – complete a cold chain breach report form. The person who noted the breach should complete the form. Email the completed form to QHIP-ADMIN@health.qld.gov.au. Write ‘COLD CHAIN BREACH’ in the email subject line.
4. Do not discard any vaccine until advised to do so by your state or territory health department.
5. Take steps to correct the problem and to prevent it from recurring.
6. For privately purchased vaccines, contact the manufacturer for advice.

• Strive for 5 – Cold Chain Breach Protocol Poster
• National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’, Appendix 8 - Checklist: Mobile and emergency storage
• National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’, Appendix 9 - Checklist for Managing a Power Failure

• Australian Immunisation Handbook - vaccination for special risk groups
• Queensland Specialist Immunisation Service - Fact sheet for health professionals
• Queensland Specialist Immunisation Service - For parents
• Information for People at Increased Risk – Queensland Government
• ATAGI clinical advice on changes to the vaccine recommendations and funding for people with risk conditions from 1 July 2020

• Pregnant women and whooping cough information resource
• Stop whooping cough before bub is born A4 poster
• Whooping Cough - vaccination matters poster A4

• ALERT: Zostavax - September 2020
• Live shingles vaccine (Zostavax) screening for contraindications
• Shingles (herpes zoster) immunisation service
• National Shingles Program - Consumer brochure
• Zostavax patient recall strategy guide
• Zostavax resources order form
• Statement on the Clinical use of Zoster vaccine in older adults in Australia | Australian Government Department of Health
• Zoster vaccines for Australian adults
• NCIRS Zoster vaccines: Frequently asked question

The meningococcal B vaccine (Bexsero®) will be added to the NIP for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants at 2, 4, and 12 months of age.  An additional dose at 6 month of age is required for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants with specified medical risk conditions. 

Introduction of the vaccine will be supported by a catch-up program for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged under 2 years until 30 June 2023.

Meningococcal B and meningococcal ACWY vaccines will also be funded under the NIP for people of all ages with specified medical risk conditions that increase their risk of IMD.

Refer to the:

• NIP meningococcal vaccination schedule from 1 July 2020 - Clinical advice for vaccination providers
• Meningococcal ACWY program FAQs
• Meningococcal vaccines for Australians: Information for immunisation providers
• Meningococcal - Information Video (Immunise GC)
• Meningococcal B brochure - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
• Meningococcal B poster for clinical settings - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
• ATAGI clinical advice on changes to recommendations for the use and funding of meningococcal vaccines from 1 July 2020

The recommendations regarding pneumococcal vaccination dosage and timing have been updated for adults and people with conditions that increase their risk of disease. There are no changes to the universal infant schedule for 13vPCV. The list of conditions that increase the risk of pneumococcal disease has also been revised and simplified.

Refer to the:

• NIP pneumococcal vaccination schedule from 1 July 2020 - Clinical advice for vaccination providers
• NIP pneumococcal vaccination schedule decision tree from 1 July 2020
• ATAGI clinical advice on changes to recommendations for the use and funding of pneumococcal vaccines from 1 July 2020

To accommodate the introduction of meningococcal B vaccination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children on 1 July 2020, the hepatitis A vaccination schedule points (for children in NT, QLD, SA and WA) will also change.

• ATAGI clinical advice on transitioning to the new hepatitis A vaccination schedule on the National Immunisation Program from 1 July 2020

The National Immunisation Catch-up Calculator (NICC)

The National Immunisation Catch-up Calculator (NICC) is now available and is based on the Australian National Immunisation Program (NIP) recommendations for Australian immunisation schedules. This version of the National Immunisation Catch-up Calculator (NICC) has been developed and designed for Australian children less than 10 years of age based on the National Immunisation Program scheduled vaccines.

Schedule variations for all states and territories have been incorporated.

The Calculator does not provide recommendations for individuals with Medical at Risk conditions where additional boosters may be recommended.

The Catch-up Calculator can be used on any Internet enabled device, desktop, tablet or smartphone. Based on the information provided, the Calculator will generate the catch-up schedule, as stipulated by the National Immunisation Program schedule. The catch-up schedule can be exported as a PDF. 

• Australian Immunisation Handbook Catch Up Calculator
• The Australian Immunisation Handbook – Catch-up vaccination

• Catch-up templates (no previous vaccinations given):
  • 12 months up to 2 years catch-up template
  • 2 year up to 4 years catch-up template
  • 4 years up to 10 years catch-up template
  • 10 years up to 11 years catch-up template
  • 11 years up to 14 years catch-up template
  • 14 years up to 16 years catch-up template
  • 16 years up to 20 years catch-up template
  • Immunisation history and/or catch-up request form [PDF]

The National Immunisation Catch-up Calculator (NICC)

The National Immunisation Catch-up Calculator (NICC) is now available and is based on the Australian National Immunisation Program (NIP) recommendations for Australian immunisation schedules. This version of the National Immunisation Catch-up Calculator (NICC) has been developed and designed for Australian children less than 10 years of age based on the National Immunisation Program scheduled vaccines.

Schedule variations for all states and territories have been incorporated.

The Calculator does not provide recommendations for individuals with Medical at Risk conditions where additional boosters may be recommended.

The Catch-up Calculator can be used on any Internet enabled device, desktop, tablet or smartphone. Based on the information provided, the Calculator will generate the catch-up schedule, as stipulated by the National Immunisation Program schedule. The catch-up schedule can be exported as a PDF. 

• Australian Immunisation Handbook Catch Up Calculator
• The Australian Immunisation Handbook – Catch-up vaccination
• Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit Catch-up request form

The National Immunisation Catch-up Calculator (NICC)

The National Immunisation Catch-up Calculator (NICC) is now available and is based on the Australian National Immunisation Program (NIP) recommendations for Australian immunisation schedules. This version of the National Immunisation Catch-up Calculator (NICC) has been developed and designed for Australian children less than 10 years of age based on the National Immunisation Program scheduled vaccines.

Schedule variations for all states and territories have been incorporated.

The Calculator does not provide recommendations for individuals with Medical at Risk conditions where additional boosters may be recommended.

The Catch-up Calculator can be used on any Internet enabled device, desktop, tablet or smartphone. Based on the information provided, the Calculator will generate the catch-up schedule, as stipulated by the National Immunisation Program schedule. The catch-up schedule can be exported as a PDF. 

• Australian Immunisation Handbook Catch Up Calculator
• The Australian Immunisation Handbook – Catch-up vaccination
• Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) immunisation history form

Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN are excited to partner with The Benchmarque Group to offer two nationally accredited courses in immunisation:

• For clinicians:
  The Benchmarque Group immunisation learning pathways to support anyone working in Primary Healthcare https://www.benchmarquegroup.com.au/?courses&cat=immunisation

• For admin / non-clinicians:
  Course in Immunisation Support [PDF]
  Price: $210.00 (usually $420) / Course Code: TBC / Available: TBC

Queensland Health Immunisation Modules
These free online modules are suitable for clinical and non-clinical staff and cover; vaccine administration, vaccine management, immunisation data recording and reporting and catch-up vaccinations.

• Authorised nurse immuniser courses accepted in Australian states and territories