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Immunisation news |
Changes to the childhood immunisation schedule and the 8th Edition Immunisation Handbook
At this time both releases are tentatively announced for the middle of the year. With this in mind, the division has invited Sue Campbell-Lloyd, the immunisation coordinator of NSW Health, to speak on the changes and how they will affect you and your practice. She will present on June 5 in the afternoon and again that evening and the sessions will be open to all nurses and GPs. More details to come but please mark this on your calendar as a matter of priority.
How cold is your fridge?
When was the last time that you had your vaccine fridge data logged? Please consider it to be part of your annual maintenance or equipment check. Your fridge should also be checked if there have been a sudden change of environment, eg. if it has been moved or storage has been moved around it. This may change the airflow around the back of the fridge making it less efficient. Also if the load the fridge is keeping between 2 and 8 degrees suddenly increases, airflow inside the fridge may be restricted, influencing the temperature recovery time after the door has been opened. Contact the division for data loggers.
Q fever and clinics
An intracellular bacterial called Coxiella burnetii causes Q fever. It can infect both wild and domestic animals, sometimes without any apparent signs of infection. Cattle, sheep and goats are the main source of infection for humans but bandicoots, kangaroos and dogs and, it is suspected to a lesser extent, cats and wild rabbits, are also sources.
Infected animals shed C burnetii in their urine, milk, faeces and birth products. Humans contract the disease via infected material becoming airborne, which is then absorbed into the host’s respiratory system, or by drinking unpasteurised, infected milk. The bacteria are very resilient and can survive in dust created by dried infected fluid.
Last year (by December 3) 722 cases of Q fever had been reported. As you may know, a limited free vaccination program has existed for some time. This program is now being extended to all livestock farmers, and paid and unpaid (family) farm workers. However, under this phase only the vaccine and skin test is provided free - there is no provision for reimbursement of pathology and medical costs, with the expectation being that these farmers can claim the expenditure from the Tax Office as a tax deduction.
The PHU, with the help of the NRDGP and TVDGP, is conducting Q fever vaccination clinics in Lismore and Murwillumbah in Feb/March. If any accredited GPs who haven’t already volunteered are interested, please contact the division. Remuneration is available. These clinics will be assisted and sponsored by CSL.
Lismore: CWA rooms, Molesworth Street (behind fire station) Fri 21 Feb, 9.30am-2pm & Fri 28 Feb for those needing vaccination.
Murwillumbah: CWA rooms, 20 Queen Street. Fri 21 March 9.30am - 2pm & Fri 28 March for those needing vaccination.
Ref. “Q Fever Your Questions Answered” produced by CSL and Communicable Disease Australia website.
Changes in the division
I’m sad to say that after two years in the position of immunisation project officer, I’m handing the position on due to needing to spend more time with my family. I will still be involved with practice liaison and accreditation, but a new bright and energetic person will now be answering your immunisation questions.
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