Immunisation

The General Practice NSW Immunisation Program provides advocacy, leadership and support for all Divisions of General Practice in NSW with the aim of increasing immunisation coverage rates and improving the quality of immunisation services.
To achieve this, the General Practice NSW Immunisation Program works with a variety of stakeholders at a state level regarding the best practice in immunisation service delivery. 
 
At a program level, our focus is on promoting the aims of the National Immunisation Program and the General Practice Immunisation Incentives Scheme, vaccine management (cold chain), data quality and management as well as improving immunisation rates amongst ‘hard to reach’ groups.

Key Activities

• State based Immunisation workshops held twice a year to provide specific education, professional development and a networking opportunity for Division immunisation coordinators; 
• Individual Division visits to; orientate new staff, discuss local issues and meet local immunisation providers; 
• Support Divisions to implement the National Immunisation Program Schedules, including educating local providers on new vaccines which are periodically introduced; 
• Providing regular information through fortnightly newsletter and listserver on; emerging issues, the current evidence base, upcoming events and available resources; 
• Regular meetings with key immunisation stakeholders, including; NSW Health, Medicare Australia, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance and vaccine representatives; 
• Enhancing communication from and building relationships with between Divisions and NSW Health, Area Health Services; 
• Coordination of regular meetings and communication between Divisions with low coverage rates to provide support and develop collaborative strategies to enhance these; 
• One-to-one support via telephone and email about immunisation issues pertinent to Divisions and local immunisation providers; 
• Ste level immunisation promotion activities; 
• Development and distribution of resources to enhance Division support activities 
• In conjunction with AGPN and the State Based Organisation Immunisation Committee (SBOIC) advocate on behalf of Divisions for enhanced immunisation support and quality of information provided to assist Divisions in supporting local providers;

Further information

To find out more about the Immunisation program contact:

Kirsten Ward Immunisation Coordinator kirstenward@gpnsw.com.au