Australian Vaccination schedules and information.

[Lioness]

*First attempt let me know if i should add more or take out others, and i am guessing it need to be a sticky as well*

~Provaccinations~

The Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2008 http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/Handbook-home (http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/Handbook-home)



National Immunisation Program Schedule

(VALID FROM 1 JULY 2007)
http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/F11B0C092AC5A5D3CA25719D00183398/$File/nip-schedule-card-july07.pdf (http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/F11B0C092AC5A5D3CA25719D00183398/$File/nip-schedule-card-july07.pdf)
1 March 2008 - Schedule Changes (SA, VIC, QLD & WA)



State and Territory information:


ACT (http://www.health.act.gov.au/c/health?a=sp&pid=1132713510): (02) 6205 2300

NSW (http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/utilities/contact.asp): Contact the local Public Health Units (look under "Health" in the White pages)

NT (http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Contacts/index.aspx?id=1781): (09) 8922 8315

QLD (http://www.health.qld.gov.au/healthtopics/result.asp?cat=Immunisation): (07) 3234 1500

SA (http://www.dh.sa.gov.au/pehs/immunisation-index.htm): (08) 8226 7177

Tas (http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/contact): 1800 671 738 - (Tasmania Only) | (03) 6222 7724 - (Outside Tasmania)

Vic (http://www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/): 1300 882 008

WA (http://www.public.health.wa.gov.au/1/51/2/immunisation.pm): (08) 9321 1312



Immunisation Myths and Realities: responding to arguments against immunisation 4th edition
Full article can be found here (PDF 1072 KB)http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/2A6F1217513F4E59CA25719D001833F8/$File/myths-4th-edition.pdf (http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/2A6F1217513F4E59CA25719D001833F8/$File/myths-4th-edition.pdf)


Chapter articles:

Introduction, Beliefs about Immunisation and Responding to Concerns (PDF 316 KB) (http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/2A6F1217513F4E59CA25719D001833F8/$File/myths-9-11.pdf)
Myths and Concerns about Immunisation (http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/2A6F1217513F4E59CA25719D001833F8/$File/myths-13-35.pdf)(PDF 226 KB)
The Realities: Diseases Preventable by Vaccines (http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/2A6F1217513F4E59CA25719D001833F8/$File/myths-37-53.pdf)(PDF 454 KB)
The Realities: Vaccines (Word 176 KB) (http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/2A6F1217513F4E59CA25719D001833F8/$File/myths-55-57.pdf)




Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a great selection of Basic and Common Questions that parents may ask about Vaccines and Immunisations. It is easy to follow and understand. A good starting place.
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/default.htm (http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/default.htm)



A few interest based articles :

Vaccines and Autism
Is there a relationship between vaccines and autism?
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/vaccines.htm (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/vaccines.htm)


Immunising your child
http://www.mydr.com.au/kids-teens-health/immunising-your-child (http://www.mydr.com.au/kids-teens-health/immunising-your-child)


Vaccines: One Small Risk for a Child, One Giant Benefit for Mankind
http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/06/06/vaccines-one-small-risk-for-a-child-one-giant-benefit-for-mankind/ (http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/06/06/vaccines-one-small-risk-for-a-child-one-giant-benefit-for-mankind/)


Immunisation - Lessons from the current debate (a good read for those who can see both pro and cons, both for and against vaccinations)
http://www.circlesoflearning.org.au/library/vaccination-immunisation/immunisation--lessons-from-the-current-debate/p/81 (http://www.circlesoflearning.org.au/library/vaccination-immunisation/immunisation--lessons-from-the-current-debate/p/81)

[Spy]

There is also an Act of some sort or another about vaccination record to be required on school enrollment and the rules attached, with a complication of different states having their own enrollment rules (like, in Victoria, where I live, they make sure they specifically state that it is a legal requirement to produce School Entry Immunization Certificate) but very few sets of rules mention what to do if you don't vaccinate AND don't want to be part of ACIR.

Also, there is a very recent change concerning who and how should now give out these certificates, and I am not sure if it is just Victoria as they appear to have excluded the local Councils and give it all to ACIR.

[Lioness]

Starting Primary School? (School entry immunisation status certificates)


The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) is a national database that keeps a record of your child’s immunisations up to the age of 7 years.

Immunisation providers (doctor or council) report your child’s immunisations to the ACIR. A history statement of all your child’s immunisations is automatically posted out to you at 1, 2 and 5 years of age.

The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register now supplies a history statement that acts as a school entry immunisation status certificate. It is automatically posted out to you once your child has completed the 4-year-old immunisations and has completed all required childhood immunisations.

Make sure your history statement contains the statement at the bottom of the page: “This child has received all vaccines required by 5 years of age” otherwise it will not be accepted as a valid school entry immunisation status certificate.
To find out how to obtain a school entry immunisation status certificate see below for more details.
For further assistance on how to obtain a school entry immunisation status certificate contact:

The Australian Childhood
Immunisation Register (ACIR)
Telephone: 1800 653 809
Email: acir@medicareaustralia.gov.au (acir@medicareaustralia.gov.au)
or your local council immunisation service (http://www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/resources/local_councils).
What is a school entry immunisation status certificate?





It is a specific document which shows your child’s record of immunisation. It is a legal requirement to provide a school entry immunisation status certificate on enrolment to primary school in Victoria. It will assist health authorities in protecting children in the event of a vaccine preventable disease occurrence in school. An unvaccinated child may be excluded from school for a period of time.
School entry immunisation status certificates can only be obtained from:




The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR)


Telephone 1800 653 809

Email: acir@medicareaustralia.gov.au (acir@medicareaustralia.gov.au)
Medicare Australia Office
your local council immunisation service.


How do I obtain a school entry immunisation status certificate?


* You will automatically receive a history statement from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) after your child has completed the 4-year-old vaccine schedule and has completed all childhood immunisations required. It should state at the bottom of the page “This child has received all vaccines required by 5 years of age.” If it does, this history statement becomes a school entry immunisation status certificate. If your child has completed all immunisations but you have not received a history statement call ACIR on 1800 653 809 to find out why. If for some reason your child's immunisation records are incomplete or missing contact your usual immunisation provider - local council or doctor.

If your child has never been vaccinated or was vaccinated overseas, then contact your local council immunisation service who will be able to assist you in obtaining a school entry immunisation status certificate.
Who do I give the school entry immunisation status certificate to?






Once you have obtained your school entry immunisation status certificate you will need to present it to your child’s primary school on enrolment. If you have lost the school entry immunisation status certificate issued by the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) ring 1800 653 809 to obtain another copy. It is important that the ACIR has your current address details to make sure you receive your school entry immunisation status certificate.
If you are moving, or have recently moved, contact ACIR on 1800 653 809 or email acir@medicareaustralia.gov.au (acir@medicareaustralia.gov.au) to update your contact details.










http://www.health.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/236114/PH036-Starting-Primary-School-A4-0408.pdf



This seems to be true for VIC only, I have yet to see if this is across the states.

[Lioness]

From what i can understand it a proposed legislation. It has not come into compulsary effect, as in school/child care are not legally required to ask for the Immunisation Record Certificates for your child. Although VIC has taken it on board; other schools and child cares nationaly have individual requirements to ask of your immunisation status that maynot require the official certificate.


I think it is a case of enquire at the potential school your child will attend to know what they need from you.


The full Proposal is here http://www.nphp.gov.au/workprog/lrn/legtools/immunomodprov_complete.pdf (http://www.nphp.gov.au/workprog/lrn/legtools/immunomodprov_complete.pdf)




The National Public Health Partnership Model proposal


Notification of Immunisation Status Act 1999

An Act to provide for the collection and recording of the immunisation status of children attending school and for related purposes




It is intended that, in implementing or reviewing legislation for the certification of immunisation status on school or child care entry, individual States and Territories will remain responsible for determining the form and content of the provisions to be enacted in their own jurisdictions. It is acknowledged that the model provisions represent a harmonised approach across jurisdictions, reflecting the desirability of a uniform commitment to the need for certification legislation and its key principles, whilst recognising the desirability of diversity in terms of the method of enactment, legislative placement and extent of the model provisions in each jurisdiction.







KEY PRINCIPLES FOR CERTIFICATION OF IMMUNISATION STATUS ON SCHOOL AND CHILD CARE ENTRY


KEY PRINCIPLES


1. Certification of immunisation status on entry to both government and private schools


Immunisation certification information is to be collected upon enrolment in both government and private schools, and updated at regular intervals.


2. Certification of immunisation status on entry to child care facilities


Immunisation certification information is to be collected upon enrolment in child care facilities, and updated at regular intervals.


3. Acceptable forms / evidence of certification


Recognised Immunisation Providers and the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register are to be recognised as two appropriate forms of certification of immunisation status. Some flexibility is necessary in recognising additional forms of certification, which may be developed in response to particular needs, for example VIVAS in Queensland, or those, which may occur in rural or remote areas.


4. Conscientious objection


Conscientious objection is to be recognised as a valid reason for refusal to have a child immunised. The reason for non-immunisation is irrelevant to whether a child will be excluded in the event of an outbreak. Information indicating the child’s immunisation status should still be requested to ensure that records are available for each child.


5. Responsibility for requesting / /providing information on immunisation status


Schools principals and directors of child care are to be responsible for requesting the provision of immunisation status information from parents or other legal representative of a child.


6. Confidentiality and privacy


Confidentiality and privacy provisions are to be included, although care is to be taken to ensure the provisions do not compromise the proper use of immunisation records b y people who need access to that information in order to protect the


National Public Health Partnership – www.nphp.gov.au (http://www.nphp.gov.au) 13National Public Health Partnership – www.nphp.gov.au (http://www.nphp.gov.au) 14


health of individual children and the population in general. In principle, these confidentiality and privacy provisions are to reflect Information Privacy Principles contained in the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1908, although this is a matter for further consideration as part of the development of model provisions.


7. Responsibility for exclusion of at-risk children from schools and child care facilities in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease


Both school principals/ child care centre operators and Chief Medical Officers or their delegates are to have a role in the exclusions of at-risk children from schools and child care facilities, in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease.


8. Determination of appropriate exclusion periods


Chief Medical Officers or their delegates are to determine appropriate exclusion periods.


9. Updating certification status of a disease


Certification status of a disease is to be updated by means of a schedule promulgated from time to time by a nationally recognised body (for example the NHMRC’s Standard Vaccination Schedule).


10. Penalties for non-compliance


The model legislation is to contain penalty provisions commensurate with the degree of public health risk.





* if i have got this wrong let me know please*

[Spy]

OK, I am in Victoria and here is what's going on. Schools ARE required to ask for immunization information/certificate/history statement. However, it does NOT mean 'no shots no school' as it can be so easily read from the above posted ACIR statement (thank you for finding it). What ACIR is saying is that now once they got some sort of system established, they can make peoples lives easier by providing the required document automatically, provided the child is fully vaccinated by the age of 4 and everything is properly reported, and this document can be used as a valid thing for school entry. :LMAO:
What they don't say is that this is not the only document that gets your child into school, that children with incomplete vaccinations can still go to local councils or doctors/healthcare providers and get some sort of statement that still is valid for school entry, and conscientious objectors also can get into school by providing a copy of the same old objection form which fully replaces any sort of School entry immunization document which is what yours truly did last year. :cool: Actually, from what I saw a year ago, it was easier to get a completely unvaccinated child enrolled than a completely vaccinated one - just because most parents did not quite get their 'automatic' records from ACIR yet and had to either make an extra trip or call to request it. :eek:

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

http://www.ncirs.usyd.edu.au/publ/publ-79-histtab1.html

I've pdf'd this page to attach here, in case it goes walkabout.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

Significant events in polio immunisation practice in Australia (http://www.ncirs.usyd.edu.au/publ/publ-79-histtab2.html)

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

Significant events in measles, mumps and rubella immunisation practice in Australia (http://www.ncirs.usyd.edu.au/publ/publ-79-histtab3.html)

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

Significant events in Haemophilus influenzae type b immunisation practice in Australia (http://www.ncirs.usyd.edu.au/publ/publ-79-histtab4.html)

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

Significant events in hepatitis B immunisation practice in Australia (http://www.ncirs.usyd.edu.au/publ/publ-79-histtab5.html)

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

Australian websites:

http://www.visainfo.org.au/

http://avn.org.au/library/

http://www.vaccination.inoz.com/

http://www.vaccinationdebate.com/ (temporarily disabled)





Anyone know any other websites?