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Topic: Immunisation

01 September 2023

All vaccinating general practices in NSW must adhere to mandatory vaccine storage and cold chain management requirements to ensure vaccines are stored in accordance with best practice guidelines.

The Public Health Unit (PHU) is conducting random audits in South Western Sydney to ensure practices are adhering to cold chain management guidelines, in response to the growing number of breaches related to COVID-19 vaccines.

It is important for practices to ensure all staff have completed the NSW Health Vaccine Storage and Cold Chain Management on-line learning module, and the COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program, to prevent cold chain incidents.

Relevant training:

Vaccine Storage and Chain Management Module

COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program

Additional information:

Vaccine storage and cold chain management

If you have a clinical question, please contact SWSPHN’s Clinical Support team via email at clinicalsupport@swsphn.com.au

22 June 2023

With winter here, viruses including influenza (flu), COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are around.

During colder weather, we are more likely to catch these respiratory illnesses which can be serious.

NSW Health is encouraging everyone aged six months and over to get a flu shot as soon as possible. It is the best way to prepare for winter and will help reduce their risk of getting seriously ill this winter.

 The flu shot is free for people who are at higher risk of severe illness. This includes:

  • Children aged six months to under five years
  • Pregnant women
  • People aged 65 years and over
  • People with serious health conditions
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over

Adults at higher risk of severe illness, and those aged 65 years and over, are also recommended to have a free COVID-19 booster dose. You can receive your 2023 booster if it has been more than six months since your last COVID-19 vaccination dose, or a confirmed infection.

For influenza and COVID-19 information in your language, visit:

Download posters and social tiles:

  • Posters and social tiles to promote awareness of simple hygiene practises to help protect against influenza.
  • Informational posters and social tiles for parents and carers of young children promoting flu shots.
06 June 2023

NSW Health has developed resources to encourage patients to prepare for winter with a flu vaccine. Posters and social media content are available for display in waiting rooms, inclusion in newsletters and for posts on social channels.

Resources for health professionals

Posters, social tiles and infection control resources

Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Posters, social tiles and video content promoting influenza safety and immunisation

Resources for community

Posters and social tiles to promote awareness of simple hygiene practises to help protect against influenza. Informational posters and social tiles for parents and carers of young children promoting flu shots.

Translated and culturally sensitive resources

Social tiles, posters and videos are available in many languages.

Find more information on the NSW Health influenza webpage
31 May 2023

Influenza vaccination fact sheets and posters are now available for your practice to utilise.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has produced a series of resources to assist practices to inform their patients about the influenza vaccine.

The “Fighting flu starts with you – Consumer fact sheet” is available in 11 languages, ready to be printed and handed to your patient to help them with their decision to vaccinate.

Fighting Flu start with you English fact sheet sample.Download the “Fighting flu starts with you” consumer fact sheet

English
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Arabic
Vietnamese
Italian
Tagalog
Greek
Hindi
Punjabi
Korean

 

Other consumer and provider resources include a poster, more topical consumer fact sheets, and program advice. Find these new resources on DoHA’s website:

Getting vaccinated against influenza – Resource collection.

Fighting Flu start with you poster sample.

23 May 2023

High levels of respiratory viral infections heading into the colder weather has prompted calls for South Western Sydney residents to ensure their flu vaccinations and COVID-19 boosters are up-to-date.

South Western Sydney Primary Health Network Acting Chief Executive Officer, Kristen Short, said NSW Health was already reporting high levels of COVID-19 and flu across the state.

“It’s understandable people have grown weary of hearing about COVID-19 and following all the guidance associated with our efforts to combat the virus,” she said.

“But now, as we head into winter and the flu season, is not the time to take a break.

“We should all take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones, especially those who are likely to get very sick, like young children and older people.

“This includes getting vaccinated and actions like avoiding contact with people who are sick, staying at home when you’re sick, covering coughs and sneezes and washing your hands.”

In the week ending 13 May, NSW Health received 13,545 laboratory confirmed notifications for COVID-19, an increase of 18 per cent on the previous week, and notifications of flu jumped 35 per cent to 1,282 cases.

Flu vaccinations

Flu vaccinations should occur before the onset of the flu season, which typically peaks between June and September.

People eligible for a free flu shot under the National Immunisation Program include:

  • Children from six months to under five years of age
  • People with serious health conditions (including severe asthma, diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, obesity, kidney, heart, lung or liver disease)
  • Pregnant women
  • Aboriginal people aged from six months
  • People aged 65 and over

COVID-19 vaccinations

While the focus on COVID-19 has decreased, the threat of infection and long-term side-effects remains.

All adults can get a 2023 COVID-19 vaccine booster if it’s been six months or longer since their last COVID-19 booster or confirmed infection (whichever is most recent), for additional protection against severe illness.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same time.

Visit your GP, pharmacist or Aboriginal Controlled Health Service to get your flu shot and book your COVID-19 vaccination through the healthdirect Service Finder.

21 April 2023

A new Immunisation History Statement (IHS) is now available which displays COVID-19 and influenza vaccination information (including medical contraindications) on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) for an individual.

This provides individuals with more privacy as they can use it as evidence for employment purposes, instead of providing their full vaccination history.

The AIR042A (COVID-19) report is now available for vaccination providers to generate through the AIR site.

Updates have been made to improve the usability of the report which provides information about an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination history.

Download AIR update
19 April 2023

Paediatrician, Dr Andrew McDonald (pictured with medical student Ellen Court), joined 90 Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service patients recently for their annual flu jab.

Tharawal AMS held the special flu vaccination clinic and hosted a barbecue for patients on Tuesday, 18 April.

Yearly influenza vaccination is recommended and free for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and over.

Flu vaccination is recommended any time from April onwards to ensure protection for the peak flu season, which is generally June to September.

Flu vaccines can be given on the same day with a COVID-19 vaccine.

Free influenza vaccines are available to eligible people under the National Immunisation Program, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and:

  • children six months to less than five years
  • pregnant women
  • people aged 65 and over
  • people with certain medical conditions

Find out more:

19 April 2023

A new public awareness campaign is aiming to improve childhood vaccination rates.

Despite maintaining relatively high routine vaccinations among children in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a downward trend in childhood immunisation coverage rates over the past two years, particularly for First Nations children.

The campaign, with the theme ‘one more way you keep them safe’, highlights the importance of vaccinating children according to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule, emphasising that vaccination is just one more of the many things parents and carers can do to keep their kids safe. 

The campaign encourages parents and carers to seek information from trusted sources and reassures them about the benefits of childhood vaccination.

Visit the campaign website
22 March 2023

World Immunization Week highlights the collective action needed and promotes the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease.

The awareness campaign is held between 24 and 30 April – a timely reminder for those of us in Australia to get our annual influenza vaccination.

The influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone aged six months and over. It not only protects you, but also helps protect those around you.

You should get the flu vaccine anytime from April onwards to be protected for the peak flu season, which is generally June to September. The highest level of protection occurs in the first three to four months following vaccination.

However, it is never too late to vaccinate since influenza can circulate in the community all year round.

Flu vaccines can be given on the same day with a COVID-19 vaccine.

Free influenza vaccines will be available to eligible people under the National Immunisation Program, including:

  • children six months to less than five years
  • pregnant women
  • people aged 65 and over
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • people with certain medical conditions

Find out more:

NSW Health: Seasonal influenza vaccination – Frequently asked questions

Department of Health and Aged Care: Fighting flu starts with you – factsheets

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