Immunisation 

Overview:

The General Practice SA (GPSA) Immunisation Program supports the National Immunisation Program (NIP) aiming to improve the quality of vaccination services and immunisation coverage in South Australia. A major focus of the Immunisation Program is to support and encourage  participation of General Practitioners (GP's) in the General Practice Immunisation Incentive (GPII) program. The overall aim of the NIP and GPII is to improve fully immunised coverage rates to > 90% of children under seven years of age. Although the National Immunisation Program has a childhood focus, a whole of life immunisation approach is inclusive of adolescents, adult and the elderly.

The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) is a national register established in 1996, administered by Medicare Australia recording details of vaccinations given to children under seven years of age who live in Australia. At this time there was a significant decline in childhood immunisation coverage and a corresponding increase in preventable childhood diseases. GPSA works collaboratively with the SA Field Officer and Divisions to improve overall immunisation coverage across SA.

Program activities

• Support to Divisions including networking/education workshops and activities
• Promotes the safe use and storage of vaccines as encouraged in the Strive for 5 campaign
• Encouraging collaborative use of resources, especially targeting "hard to reach" populations
• Provision of national interface with other State and Territories Immunisation Programs
• Working collaboratively with the SA ACIR Field Officer to improve immunisation coverage
• Linking with relevant immunisation stakeholders