3rdDec 2009 - TGA has announced that children between 6 months and 9 years of age are approved to receive the Panvax H1N1 vaccine.
The Commonwealth government health emergency web site has FAQs to assist: http://www.healthemergency.gov.au/internet/healthemergency/publishing.nsf/Content/kids-vaccine-qna-toc
See also the Immunisation Program Victorian Department of Health advice: Includes dosages table and Product information.
2ndNov 2009 - Updated CSL website includes answers to "myths".
Misconceptions' about the pandemic vaccine Panvax have been in circulation via hoax emails and internet blog sites and this has caused concerns for practices. CSL has updated the www.panvaxh1n1.com.au website to include a new section to assist with answering patient enquiries regarding 'myths' about the vaccine. Information about all aspects of the pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccination program can be found at the Commonwealth’s site www.healthemergency.gov.au .
To get onto the CSL website: username – Health, password - H1N12009
26th Oct 2009 - Dosage errors.
There have been some reported errors in the administration of the H1N1 vaccine. Just a reminder that the dosage for all people over the age of 10 years is a single 0.5 ml (i.e. ½ ml) dose
19th Oct 2009 - Practices encouraged to report problems with VacPac needles and syringes supplied for Panvax.
The syringes, needles, alcohol swabs, sticking plaster, and alcohol hand rub in the VacPacs are considered medical devices by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and are listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
Any problems with medical devices should be reported to the regulator. The easiest way to report is by completing the 'Reporting Form for use by Medical Device Users' on TGA's website at http://www.tga.gov.au/problem/devices.htm.
16th Oct 2009 - Further advice on latex allergy and syringes.
5th Oct 2009
There have been several issues raised re the rollout of the H1N1 vaccine which required clarification.
1. Indemnity and nurse immunisers - as a TGA approved vaccine there is no issue for nurse immunisers - they are covered in the way they normally are for all vaccines.
2. Those without a Medicare card ARE eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccine. Practices will have to decide how they charge for that service as it cannot be billed to Medicare.
3. The marker pens for the multi-dose vials - it is quite OK to use a sticker and write on that - they don’t have to guard that one pen per practice with their lives!
4. The amount of doses being delivered. DoH (Vic) is distributing the doses and states that it is using the same methods it used for the seasonal influenza vaccine this winter. All practices will receive 180 doses in the first delivery which will come with a re-order form and can be immediately re-ordered. The form is also available on their website.
Medicare items for vaccination services
Click here for link.
Influenza vaccination information
For additional information to accompany the vaccine click here.
Websites to support the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccination program
The Healthcare Professional website is www.panvaxh1n1.com.au and is password protected. This site contains a printable version of the Panvax® H1N1 product information (PI).
Username = health, password = H1N12009. It is important to note that the password for the healthcare professional website is case sensitive and is in uppercase.
The Consumer website - www.h1n1vax.com.au will not require a password.
H1N1 Flu vaccination clinic guide
Click here for link.
Questions and Answers
Website containing a series of questions and answers to cover any issues concerning this vaccine program can be found here.
===================================
GPV and DHS advice - 2nd Oct 2009:
Vaccine delivery
To ensure the vaccine is widely available in Victoria, each GP clinic will initially be allocated a proportion of vaccine. This pre-allocation means:
• All clinics will receive a supply of Panvax® H1N1 at about the same time
• No vaccine orders will be lost
• Clinics can ‘opt out’ of the initial allocated supply if they wish. Please contact the Immunisation Program on Tel. 1300 882 008 as soon as possible if you wish to ‘opt out’.
From 21 September, clinics can view details of their initial vaccine allocation on the Immunisation Program’s website by entering their account number at: www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation
Vaccine orders
For future vaccine orders, please use the enclosed Panvax® H1N1 Vaccine Order Form, also available online: www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation
==============================
Previous advice
Some information to keep you updated:
