Immunisation

The Public Health Unit provides immunisations to children for hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) through its school based immunisation programs, and advice and information on both adult and childhood immunisations, excluding travel vaccinations (such as yellow fever). Staff also follow-up reports of adverse reactions to vaccinations.

The Department of Health and Ageing Immunise Australia Program provides valuable information on all aspects of childhood immunisation.  Their website includes information for the general public as well as for immunisation providers, including the Australian Immunisation Handbook (8th edition 2003), the revised Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule and the National Immunisation Program. 

Please note: some changes have been made to the Australian Immunisation Handbook as at April 2006. These changes are available from the Immunise Australia website. 

Information is also available in many languages, including the booklet "Understanding Childhood Immunisation" which answers many frequently asked questions.

The Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule

The Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule (ASVS) is recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Over recent years a considerable variety of vaccines, which combine together various antigens, have become available in Australia. The ASVS is therefore now based on antigens rather than specific vaccines.  The new immunisation schedule incorporates all vaccines recommended as 'best practice'. Immunisation providers are responsible for advising patients and parents/caregivers of available vaccine choices at the time of consultation, including those provided free under the National Immunisation Program.

The NSW Vaccination Schedule

The NSW vaccination schedule differs slightly to the National schedule as each state tenders vaccines from different manufacturers and some vaccinations are recommended in the National schedule for high risk remote rural communities. The NSW immunisation schedule is available from the NSW Health website.

The NSW Health Department provides information on NSW immunisation programs, including advice on new vaccines, the schedule, order forms for GPs, funding for vaccines and other information for both parents and GPs.

National Immunisation Program Schedule

The National Immunisation Program is an initiative of the Australian Government, including all States and Territories, which aims to increase national immunisation rates.

Under the Immunise Australia Program, the Australian Government provides funding to:

• State and Territory governments for the purchase of vaccines listed in the National Vaccine Schedule;
• Medicare Australia for:
  • The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR);
  • The General Practice Immunisation Incentives Scheme (GPII); and
  • Subsidising individual private consultations involved in immunisation through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).

Useful immunisation links

Below are links to agencies and other organisations that contain useful information.

Immunise Australia Program. Australian Department of Health and Ageing, 2007.

Medicare Australia. Australian Department of Health and Ageing, 2007.

NSW immunisation programs. NSW Department of Health, 2007.

Immunisation Calculator. SA Department of Health, 2007.

 

Disclaimer: The links above are to agencies and other organisations that contain useful information. These links do not imply any endorsement, support or commercial gain by South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service or NSW Health Services or the State of New South Wales. See our Disclaimer for more information.