NSW Health recently issued an updated Authority expanding the range of vaccines that appropriately-trained AHPs can administer and allowing AHPs to provide influenza vaccination to younger age groups.
- Lowering the age that AHPs may administer influenza vaccine from 5 years and over to 2 years and over.
- Inclusion of adult, adolescent and maternal vaccines:
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- COVID-19 vaccine
- Pneumococcal (conjugate) vaccines
- Shingrix brand vaccine
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine
- Diphtheria antigen-containing vaccine
- Tetanus antigen-containing vaccine
- Pertussis antigen-containing vaccine
- Meningococcal ACWY vaccines
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
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- Removal of the requirement to have a medical officer contactable for medical advice during a vaccination clinic. The requirement to work within the line of sight of a registered nurse or midwife remains in place.
Further details, including specific vaccine formulations and patient age ranges approved, are set out in the Standards.
The expansion relates to AHPs that have completed additional immunisation training accredited by Health Education Services Australia (HESA), injection technique competency assessment, and current basic life support competency. AHPs meeting the criteria in the Authority are able to independently administer vaccines listed in the Authority without the order of a medical officer. This change does not impact on AHPs administering medications that are ordered or prescribed by a medical practitioner.
Is there an AHP at your service looking to upskill in immunisation? Find out more about upcoming immunisation training opportunities, including accredited immunisation courses, here.
The AH&MRC Public Health team is available to support ACCHOs with any questions or concerns – please contact us at publichealth@ahmrc.org.au
