This article applies to those health service organisations who operate as vaccination providers.
Australian Immunisation Register Amendment (Reporting) Rules 2024 (Cth)
On 1 March 2024, the Australian Immunisation Register Amendment (Reporting) Rules 2024 (Cth) (the Amending Rules) amended the Australian Immunisation Register Rule 2015 (Cth) (the Rule).
New requirement to report route of administration for Japanese encephalitis virus vaccines and vaccine type information to the Australian Immunisation Register
Health service organisations will already be aware that section 10A of the Australian Immunisation Register Act 2015 (Cth) (the Act) requires recognised vaccination providers (being general practitioners, or an individual or body endorsed to administer vaccines in Australia (if the endorsement is for purposes that include the purposes of the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) and is by the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory); to report the administration of certain vaccinations to the AIR. Such vaccinations include for example COVID-19, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and influenza vaccinations.
Recognised vaccination providers should note that from 1 March 2024, it is now a mandatory requirement to report to the AIR:
- the route of administration for JEV vaccines; and
- information about the vaccine type for all vaccines prescribed by the Rule (which includes COVID-19, JEV, influenza and National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccines).
In addition to the above 2 new reporting changes, rule 9e(vii) has also been amended to remove the specific requirement to report the vial serial number of administered COVID-19 vaccines to the AIR, (as this field is already covered within the requirement to report batch numbers under existing rule 9(e)(vi) of the Rule).
Finally, we remind health service organisations that any person who fails to comply with the vaccination reporting obligations under existing section 10A of the Act may be liable to a civil penalty of 30 penalty units (currently $9,390).
Conclusion
Those organisations operating as vaccination providers should ensure their recognised vaccination providers are made aware of the new mandatory notification requirements and changes. To that end, organisations should update their immunisation policies and procedures to reflect these new reporting requirements and changes.
