Immunisation

Australia's rate of immunisation is steadily increasing following the implementation of the Australian Government funded National Immunisation Program which began in 1997.

It's a whole of life immunisation process with immunisations funded for:

  • children
  • adolescents
  • adults
  • the elderly

There is a special focus on those groups who are at risk of developing serious complications from vaccine preventable diseases.

Within the National Immunisation Program, AGPN has been the key agency to roll out the National General Practice Immunisation program which aims to support and encourage the provision of safe, effective and timely vaccinations in all areas of the country through general practice, community health services or other providers.

The aim of this National General Practice Immunisation program is to:

  • actively engage with providers to achieve a high level of immunisation coverage across Australia
  • implement the General Practice Immunisation Incentive Program (GPII) scheme to assist general practice to achieve and maintain fully immunised coverage rates of 90 percent or higher in children under seven years of age.

The GPII scheme is part of a Seven Point Plan to lift immunisation coverage rates in Australia and to reduce the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases.

The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (the ACIR) is another initiative being run with the National Immunisation Program. ACIR is a national register administered by Medicare Australia that records details of vaccinations given to children under seven years of age who live in Australia. It was established in 1996 in response to a decline in childhood immunisation in Australia and an increase in preventable childhood diseases.

An additional focus of the program is the safe use and storage of vaccine as encouraged in the Strive for 5 campaign

For further information on immunisation in Australia visit www.immunise.health.gov.au

For further information regarding AGPN's Immunisation program contact:

Principal Network Adviser Immunisation Helen Moore Ph:   02 6228 0833
Fax: 02 6228 0899


AGPN acknowledges the financial support of the Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing