Useful Links
Project Officer -
Jo Wild ph: 8752 4919
The CSDGP Immunisation Project supports general practices/GPs to:
- maintain high standards of cold-chain management to ensure vaccine efficacy.
- deliver immunisation services in accordance with the Australian Standard Immunisation Schedule and current national and state best-practice guidelines.
- adopt a sustainable approach to reporting to the Australian Childhood Immunistion Register (ACIR).
- optimise child immunisation coverage rates.
- optimise access to the general practice immunisation incentives (GPII) scheme.
The immunisation project officer is available to provide phone support and practice visits as required. You can contact Jo at CSDGP on 8752 4919 or email Jo Wild
For specific clinical enquires please contact the Immunisation Coordinator, Fiona Steele at the SSWAHS Public Health Unit: 9515 9425.
The General Practice Immunisation Incentive Scheme (GPII)
If your practice is not accredited you are still eligible to receive GPII. The same application form is used for both the GPII scheme and the Practice Incentive Program (PIP). However applicants can use the form to apply for the GPII scheme only.
To obtain an application form contact the PIP enquiry line: 1800 222 032.
For further information on GPII contact Jo Wild at CSDGP: 8752 4919.
Further information on GPII is available on the Medicare Australia website: http://www.medicareaustralia.com.au/providers/incentives_allowances/gpii_scheme.htm
Improving immunisation coverage
CSDGP monitors the percentage of children in the division and in individual practices who have received all required immunisations according to the Australian Standard Immunisation Schedule. Rates are calculated quarterly according to data supplied to the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register. We aim to improve the immunisation coverage rate across CSDGP to more than 90%.
CSDGP supports practices to improve their immunisation coverage rates by providing onsite visits to:
- discuss ways that reporting to the ACIR can be streamlined in an individual practice.
- train GPs and practice staff to use the ACIR secure internet site to report immunisations.
- discuss systems for identification and recall of children who are overdue for immunisation.
To request any of these services contact Jo Wild at CSDGP: 8752 4919.
Addressing low immunisation coverage in CSDGP
Practice data cleaning guide
Reporting immunisations to ACIR
The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (the ACIR) is a national register administered by Medicare Australia that records details of vaccinations given to children under seven years of age who live in Australia . It was established in 1996 in response to a decline in childhood immunisation in Australia and an increase in preventable childhood diseases.
Immunisations can be reported to ACIR manually using paper “immunisation encounter” forms or electronically through a number of different methods. CSDGP can provide advice on what method reporting would best suit your practice.
Electronic reporting of immunisations to ACIR
Further information on ACIR, including all relevant forms, are available on the Medicare Australia website:
http://www.medicareaustralia.com.au/providers/programs_services/acir/index.htm
Cold chain and vaccine storageVaccines should be stored in the range +2 to +8 degrees celsius. In general practice this usually involves:
- purchase and maintenance of an appropriate refrigerator for storage of vaccine.
- installation of a temperature probe within the fridge and daily monitoring and recording of the fridge temperature.
- staff taking appropriate and timely action in the event that the fridge temperature is shown to be outside the recommended temperature range.
CSDGP supports general practices to maintain the cold chain through:
- onsite visits on request to conduct an audit of practice cold chain procedures.
- data logging of vaccine fridges.
- provision of reliable thermometers and vaccine fridge logbooks.
- advice and support in the event of a cold-chain failure.
National Vaccine Storage Guidelines
Purpose-built vaccine fridges
Vaccine fridge logbook
Immunisation Payments for Parents
Immunisation payments available to parents
The Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule
The Australian Immunisation Handbook 8 th Edition
This document gives the most current NHMRC guidelines on provision of immunisations in Australia . The 9th edition handbook will be made available electronically on the web within the next few months and will be available in hard copy later in the year.
Changes to NSW Immunisation schedule from 1st July 2007
NSW Immunisation Schedule
NSW Vaccine Centre Order Form
2007 Flu Vaccine Order Form
GP Vaccine Order form
NSW School Vaccination Certificate 
Websites for health professionals
Templates for electronic and manual recording of HPV dataInformation regarding HPV and other school based immunisation programs
Australian Childhood Immunisation Register - http://www.medicareaustralia.com.au/providers/programs_services/acir/index.htm
General Practice Immunisation Incentives Scheme (GPII): http://www.medicareaustralia.com.au/providers/incentives_allowances/gpii_scheme.htm
Immunise Australia Program - http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/
Immunisation catchup calculator (SA Department of Health) - http://www.health.sa.gov.au/immunisationcalculator/
NSW Health Immunisation Program - http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/living/immunisation/immunise_prog/index.html
RACGP standard on vaccine potency: http://www.racgp.org.au/Content/NavigationMenu/PracticeSupport/StandardsforGeneralPractices/standard532.htm
Websites for parents:
Immunise Australia Program - http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/
Immunisation: Myths and Realities - http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/uci-myths
MMR : The facts ( UK site) - http://www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk/
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) - http://www.ncirs.usyd.edu.au/
Vaccine side effects - http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vaccine/side-effects.htm