Page 65 - Demo

Ի Early childhood educators and carers. Ի People in close contact with infants. • Vaccination of people who have missed doses of pertussis-containing vaccine. Pertussis can be effectively prevented by immunisation.1,7 Vaccination to control the spread of pertussis began in the 1940s.2 By 2017, almost 94 per cent of Australian children were vaccinated against pertussis, though there are variances in immunisation rates depending on the child’s home location.2 The trends are indicated in the graphics on this page.12 Australian pertussis vaccines are available in combination with other antigens, such as diphtheria, tetanus and polio (adult doses – Adacel, Adacel Polio, Boostrix, Boostrix-IPV).4 The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommendations pertussis-containing vaccines for:4 • Children at two, four, six and 18 months, and four years of age, and adolescents at 11-13 years of age. • Adults at ages 50 and 65 years. • Pregnant women during each pregnancy, preferably between 20 and 32 weeks’ gestation. • Healthcare workers, early childhood educators and carers, and people in close contact with infants, every 10 years. Please refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook for more detail about when to immunise and catch-up doses4. Unimmunised or partially immunised children diagnosed with pertussis should complete the pertussis immunisation schedule.5 National Immunisation Program The National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule is the government funded list of vaccinations available from birth to adulthood for all Australians who are entitled to Medicare benefits.11 There are variances in the schedule for indigenous and non- indigenous people due to the variance in risk of disease.11 The web address for the current schedule for all Australian Medicare Card holders is available in the reference list.11 Nonpharmacological approaches that can be used to manage pertussis Measures to prevent pertussis transmission include:1,6 • Keeping unwell children home from day care or school. • Adults isolating at home from work/ school/university and not going out unless necessary. • Minimising close human contact until infectious period is passed. • Wearing a mask when out in public. • Washing hands often. • Washing surfaces patients use, eg, telephones. • Covering the face when coughing or sneezing. • Using disposable masks, tissues and cleaning products and disposing in an appropriate infection control manner. Role of pharmacist vaccinators in preventing pertussis The Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation Pilot (QPIP) demonstrated that trained pharmacists could safely and effectively administer vaccines to adults. The first QPIP trial involved the provision of influenza vaccine in community pharmacy. The second stage of QPIP was expanded to include diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis combination vaccines (with or without polio), and measles and mumps vaccines.8 Since these initial trials, further research and evaluation has occurred. This has led to training programs in all Australian states and territories that enable pharmacists to provide vaccination services in their community pharmacies. In recent times the Immunisation Schedule for Pharmacists has been expanded further, though there are variations across states and territories. Pharmacists can also provide vaccination services in non-pharmacy designated areas in some states, eg, health clinics and hospitals. One of the key actions of the ‘National Immunisation Strategy for Australia 2019- 2024’9 is in its message to immunisation providers, such as pharmacy, that lie outside of the traditional model of immunisation. The highlighted section in Box 1 is particularly welcomed and will hopefully be actioned for pharmacy soon. The National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia (2016) states that pharmacists have a role in promoting health and wellbeing, including “Supporting health promotion activities and health services intended to maintain and improve health (Competency 3.6.2) and Supporting evidence-based public health programs (Competency 3.6.3)”13. Providing or referring at-risk patients to a pertussis vaccination service perfectly aligns with this competency. Pertussis resources available to pharmacists • Australian Immunisation Handbook. immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/ search/pertussis • Australian Government Department of Health – Whooping Cough (Pertussis). health.gov.au/health-topics/whooping- cough-pertussis Box 1. Key actions from the ‘National Immunisation Strategy for Australia 2019-2024’9 CPD ACTIVITY 63 200,000 180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 Pertussis Cases by year (1922-2014) Introduction of Pertussis vaccine in 1948 Number of these cases of whooping cough per year before and after vaccination. This data is from the United State’s for Disease Control, but the effect of vaccination in Australia and across the world was the same AUSTRALIAN DEATHS FROM WHOOPING COUGH Vaccine introduced (1942) 1910-1942 291 deaths per year 1943-1996 16 deaths per year 1997-2017 2 deaths per year TO PAGE 64 • Undertake ongoing review and enhancement of the Australian Immunisation Handbook and communication resources for providers to ensure that their immunisation education needs are met. • Support immunisation service providers through effective communication, education and training. • Implement the National Immunisation Education Framework for Health Professionals. • Support an appropriately qualified immunisation workforce, including new entrants into the workforce. • Continue national harmonisation of the credentialling and recognition of immunisation providers, and transferability of skills and qualifications between jurisdictions. RETAIL PHARMACY • JAN/FEB 2021 Average number of cases per year 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010-2014