Public Health Assignment: Immunization Challenges and IPN in Australia

This assignment addresses public health challenges associated with immunization in Australia, particularly focusing on the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination and the role of Immunization Program Nurses (IPN). The primary issue highlighted is the lack of proper follow-up for booster dosages of the Hib vaccine, which leads to incomplete immunization and potential disease spread. The assignment discusses the Series of National Guidelines (SoNGs) developed in consultation with the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), including the introduction of a monovalent Hib dose for 18-year-olds to ensure comprehensive immunization. The document also provides an overview of the Immunization Program Nurse (IPN) role according to the Health Drugs and Poisons Regulation 1996, detailing their authorization, responsibilities, and the vaccines and restricted drugs they are authorized to administer. The IPN's duties include following the National Immunisation Program schedule, conducting clinical assessments, obtaining informed consent, and documenting any adverse side effects. The assignment emphasizes the importance of communication strategies for early disease reporting and immunization awareness. References include key governmental and health organization documents.

Running head: MODULE 1
Question 2
The main public health issues related to immunisation in Australia is lack of proper
follow-up for the booster dosage of Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) vaccination. Initially
Hib is given in the form of boaster dose in combination with Hib-MenC (combined Hib and
meningococcal C vaccine) to the children who are 12 months of age. Inability of the children
to come over for the booster dosage leads to incomplete immunisation and thus promoting
rapid spread of the disease (Australian Government Department of Health, 2019).. Thus in
order to ensure comprehensive immunization, the Series of National Guidelines (SoNGs) in
consultation with the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) and Australian
Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) have developed monovalent Hib dose for
the children who are 18 years old. This vaccination does not require any booster dosages and
thus ensuring comprehensive immunization for the children. The immunization is also
effective for the people who are suffering from asplenia and people who have received a
haematopoietic stem cell transplant. SoNGs also promote guidelines for the surveillance in
order to extract demographic data for effective distribution of the immunization kits mainly
in the regions that are infiltrated with refugees and aboriginals. The SoNGs have a separate
guideline for the communication strategies for early reporting of the disease and generation
of the immunization awareness among the mass (CDNA, 2017).
The issue is extremely significant in the practice of immunization as it helps in
understanding the drawbacks of the booster dosage in the areas of the ethnic minorities.
Moreover, it also helps to promote the importance of communication in arising immunization
awareness among the mass and early reporting of the cases for promoting effective disease
prevention.

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MODULE 1
Answer 9
Overview of the IPN
According to Health Drugs and Poisons Regulation 1996, an immunisation program
nurse is authorised to obtain vaccine or other restricted drug and at the same time can
administer a vaccine or other restricted drug under the immunisation program nurse DTP
(Drug Therapy Program). This kind of immunisation program is mostly structured for
promoting immunization by local or community based healthcare department or
immunisation program conducted in the hospital or health service unit under the active
supervision of the doctors and immunisation program nurse. Such immunisation programs are
mainly certified programs.
Authorisation for Practice
The immunisation program nurses are mainly registered nurses who have the
authority to practice in an immunisation program under the legislation published in the
Nursing Act 1992. An immunisation program nurse has required qualification to conduct the
immunisation program and the said qualification is approved by the chief executive
(Queensland Government Department of Health, 2017).
Vaccines and Restricted drugs that IPN are authorised to administered
As per the Drug Therapy Protocol – Immunisation Program Nurse (IPN) published by
Queensland Government Department of Health (2016) the vaccine and restricted drug which
the IPN is eligible for administering include
Diptheria
Tetanus
Pertusis

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MODULE 1
Heamophilus influenza type b
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Human papillomavirus
Poliomyelitis
Influenza
Measles
Mumps
Rubella
Meningococcal
Pneunococcal
Rotavirus
Varicella
Tetanus immunoglobulin
Conditions and Circumstances of Practice
It is the duty of the IPN to administer vaccines in accordance to the National
Immunisation Program schedule (NIPs) and route approved by the National Health and
Medical Research Council (NHMRC). If the route of administration of the vaccine is not
enlisted in the Australian Immunisation Handbook or approved by the NHMRC then
administration of the vaccine must be done as per the approved product information.

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MODULE 1
Before the administration of the vaccination, it is the duty to the IPN to follow the
Health Management Protocol and this include conduction of clinical assessment followed by
follow-up patients and obtaining informed consent. If the patient is found unfit for the
immunisation (weight, health, nutritional level, blood sugar, blood pressure: mostly in case of
the adult immunisation), IPN must forbid the process of immunisation in order to avoid
complications. Nurses must also take a note of the strength and name of the vaccine and other
restricted drug before administration. After administration of the vaccine, it is the duty of the
IPN to document the signs and symptoms. If adverse side-effects are observed in the
vaccinated individual then further medical interventions are recommended. In order to handle
the emergency conditions quickly, an IPN and IP campaign must be equipped with proper
emergency equipments (Drug Therapy Protocol – Immunisation Program Nurse (IPN). 2016).

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MODULE 1
References
Australian Government Department of Health. (2019). Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
Access date: 23rd April 2019. Retrieved from:
https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccine-preventable-diseases/
haemophilus-influenzae-type-b-hib
Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA). (2017). Haemophilus influenzae type b
Invasive Infection. Access date: 23rd April 2019. Retrieved from:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cdna-song-hib.htm
Queensland Government Department of Health. (2016). Drug Therapy Protocol –
Immunisation Program Nurse. Access date: 23rd April 2019. Retrieved from:
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0028/443287/dtp-
immunisation.pdf
Queensland Government Department of Health. (2017). Health (Drugs and Poisons)
Regulation 1996. Access date: 23rd April 2019. Retrieved from:
https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/pdf/2017-10-01/sl-1996-0414