What is the Immunisation program

Country SA Primary Health Network works with stakeholders and Immunisation providers to maintain and improve childhood immunisation coverage rates across our region to reduce the incidence of vaccine preventable infectious diseases.We aim to promote, support and encourage the provision of safe, effective and timely vaccinations through general practice, community health services or other providers.   

What does the Immunisation program do?

CNSAML’s immunisation program

• Promotes the importance of timely immunisation to our local community
• Acts as an immunisation reference for further immunisation advice
• Facilitates interdisciplinary education activities
• Disseminates important immunisation updates and changes in the vaccination schedule/cold chain management to both public and health professionals

Important Links
The Australian Immunisation Handbook
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)

Immunisation updates

Changes to the Childhood Immunisation Schedule - Effective 1st July 2013
The childhood immunisation schedule will change on 1st July 2013 and include two new combination vaccines; HIB-MenCCV (Haemophilus influenza type b and Meningococcal C) to be administered at 12 months of age and MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella) to be administered at 18 months of age. Schedule can be found here.

It is important to note:

• Hib-MenCCV vaccine MUST be reconstituted prior to administration
• MMR vaccine is to be used for the 1st dose at 12 months of age. MMRV IS NOT recommended for use as the 1st dose of MMR containing vaccine in children less than 4 years of age due to a small but increased risk of fever and febrile seizures
• MMRV vaccine can be used as the 2nd dose of MMR-containing vaccine and to provide a single dose of varicella vaccine
• MMRV vaccines ARE NOT recommended for use in persons 14 years and older

SA Health sent information regarding the changes to the schedule to all immunisation providers in mid-June

Changes to the SA School Based Immunisation Program in 2013:

• 2013 is the final year to receive free hepatitis B vaccine through the School Immunisation Program. For more information click here.
• Year 9 boys – Expanded Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Program. For more information click here.

If a student is advised  or wishes to be vaccinated by a GP provider , the provider must contact the Immunisation Section, SA Health on 1300 232 272 to request the required vaccines.

Who can help you?  

Glenda Woodward – RPHS Clinician
Ph: 8821 6703