Programs - Swine flu (H1N1)
This page includes the following swine flu (H1N1) vaccination information
- Consent forms
- A take home sheet for vaccine recipients
- Ordering vaccine through NSW Health
- Guidelines for use of multidose vials
- Links to information for families
- Links and contact details for health professionals
A new free vaccine to protect Australians from pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus is ready.
The vaccine will be available for use from Wednesday 30 September in GP surgeries and Aboriginal Medical Services across NSW.
There is clear evidence of serious or fatal health complications for some people who catch this flu. It is a new strain of flu that spreads easily from person to person, and experience in other countries shows that this is not just a winter flu – it could come back during spring and summer.
Vaccination is the safest response for the community, particularly as large numbers of people continue to be infected, and some are suffering serious health complications. By getting vaccinated patients can protect themselves and help to stop this flu spreading.
This page was updated on 28th September 2009. This page will be updated as additional swine flu related information becomes available.
Vaccination consent form
The Australian Government has produced a Panvax H1N1 vaccination consent form. The use of the consent form is not a requirement for the purposes of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccination program. Vaccine providers are advised to have regard to their usual informed consent procedures applicable to the use of vaccines that are registered for use by the TGA. A vaccination consent form can be provided with each dose of vaccine ordered. Please advise your State or Territory health department if you will not be using consent forms or do not require ongoing delivery of consent forms with each order of vaccine placed.
Filling out the consent forms is not compulsory - they are provided to GPs as an assistance for them - they can make their own clinical decision on the means in which they inform their patient of possible side effects etc, which is normal clinical practice. They can do it verbally if they wish. The distribution of the Consent Forms is to assist doctors to inform their patients.
Vaccine recipient information sheet
The Australian Government has also produced a ‘take home’ information sheet for vaccine recipients. The information sheet contains information on vaccination of people in priority groups, adverse events post vaccination and the management and reporting of adverse events. One copy of the information sheet will be provided with each dose of vaccine ordered.
Ordering Vaccine through NSW Health
Order forms and additional information (order forms appear near the bottom of the page as PDF downloads)
http://www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu/vaccination/swine_flu_latest_data.asp
Guidelines for the use of multi-dose vials
Guidelines have been developed by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners on how to safely handle, store and administer vaccines from multi-dose vials.
A copy of the guidelines will be provided with each vaccine order.
The guidelines are also available online at NSW Health
http://www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu/resources/pdf/h1n1_vaccine_mdv_administration_guideline.pdf
Product information leaflet
The Panvax H1N1 vaccine manufacturer, CSL Limited, will provide a copy of the vaccine product information leaflet with each box of vaccine.
The guidelines are also available online at NSW Health
http://www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu/resources/pdf/h1n1_vaccine_product_information.pdf
Department of Health and Ageing information|
The Department of Health and Ageing also referred the GP Roundtable committee to this information in the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Vaccination Program – Information for Health Professionals which was released last Monday (21 September 2009).
Information for health professionals
Overview of the program for GPs (NSW Health)
http://www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu/resources/pdf/panvax_for_gps_v05_230909.pdf
General information on pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza or the Panvax H1N1 vaccine
www.healthemergency.gov.au
Pandemic Hotline 180 2007
Update bulletins for Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 from Department of Health and Ageing
http://www.healthemergency.gov.au/internet/healthemergency/publishing.nsf/Content/updates
More information