We aim to reduce the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases in the community by providing appropriate and timely information about vaccine preventable diseases.
Children and Immunisation
Although many Australian children are immunised, it is important to maintain high immunisation rates to reduce the risk of outbreaks of serious diseases. Current immunisation rates in the Western Sydney region are below the 95% coverage targets for one, two and five-year old age groups.
To combat these low statistics, we have facilitated the annual Immunisation Bike Competition since 2011, an initiative encouraging childhood immunisation in partnership with local practices.
We provide support to general practices through resources, education and practice visits, as follows:
- Maintain high standards of cold-chain management in accordance with the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines resource collection to ensure vaccine efficacy.
- Deliver immunisation services in accordance with the NIP and the NSW Immunisation Schedule.
- Report immunisation encounters to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). A national register that records all vaccines given to people of all ages in Australia.
Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) eLearning module for health care professionals is designed to help adapt clinical communication skills to meet the needs of all parents, whether they are ready to vaccinate, have questions or intend to decline vaccination altogether.
A suite of resources and fact sheets are available for health professionals, in relation to immunisation. You can find them on the National Centre for Immunsation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website.
- Immunisation Schedule from April 2019 - NSW Health
- NSW Childhood Immunisation Schedule poster - NSW Health
- Additional Commonwealth and NSW-funded free vaccines - NSW Health
- Vaccine safety data – AusVaxSafety
- Adverse Events Following Immunisation Reporting Form – NSW Health
- Immunisation recommendations for children and adolescents in Australia – NCIRS
- Immunisation recommendations for adults in Australia – NCIRS
- Following vaccination – what to expect and what to do (tear-off pads for patients) – Department of Health
- New Meningococcal vaccine 2019 recommendations by age and risk group - Australian Prescriber
- National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’, 3rd edition – Department of Health
- Cold Chain Toolkit – NSW Health
- Vaccine Storage Checklist – NSW Health
- Vaccine storage and cold chain management - NSW Health
- HETI Vaccine Storage and Cold Chain Management -
- Annual Self Audit – Vaccine Storage Self Audit National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’, Appendix 2 – Department of Health
Need to report a cold chain breach? Download the reporting form, fill out online, save and send it to the Western Sydney Public Health Unit on:
Telephone: 9840 3603
Fax: 9840 3591
Hours of Service: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm
Emergencies: For urgent public health assistance after hours phone Westmead Hospital on 9845 5555 and ask for the Public Health Duty Officer to be paged.
Support with Immunisation Queries
Contact the helpdesk on 8811 7117 or email support@wentwest.com.au if you need support or assistance about the current NSW requirements.
Progressing Health Now
Find out more about other Programs and Priorities for Western Sydney.
