Friday, September 03, 2010

Cease administration of Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior

Thursday, August 26, 2010
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Professor Jim Bishop has advised that stability testing by the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior vaccine, for children between 6 months to < 3 years of age, has shown a decline in potency in the 0.25 ml pre-filled syringes.
Therefore the vaccine should now be considered expired.
To ensure the vaccine is no longer administered, GPs are advised to quarantine their stock of Panvax H1N1 2009 Junior pre-filled syringes immediately.

CSL is retrieving this stock and will contact GPs shortly.
For full details, please see the attached document: Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)Updated advice on the use of pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines in children < 10 years of age


Health Information Update - 30 July 2010

Monday, August 02, 2010
The suspension of use of 2010 trivalent influenza vaccine for healthy children less than 5 years of age can now be lifted, provided the trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) to be used is either Vaxigrip® or Influvac®.

For full details please see the attached documents (updated 30 July 2010):

Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for young children Fact Sheet

Latest medical advisory from the Chief Medical Officer

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) - Clinical Advice for Immunisation Providers

ATAGI recommendations for selection of seasonal influenza vaccine for children aged <=6 months to <5 years, adults and other risk groups



Report on findings concerning Flu Vaccine Suspension - 02 July 2010 Update

Monday, July 26, 2010
On 22 April 2010, Western Australia (WA) suspended this year's influenza vaccination program for WA children following reports of an apparent increase in febrile reactions following vaccination during March-April.
For the full report, please see the attached document:
Investigation into febrile reactions in young children following 2010 seasonal trivalent influenza vaccination - Status report as at 2 July 2010



Practice Matters Newsletter September Edition

Thursday, September 02, 2010
The latest edition of Practice Matters is now available.

Practice Matters September 2010



Film Night 2010 - Registration page

Thursday, August 26, 2010
A website has been developed for GP members to RSVP to the film night invitation on 14 September.
For more information, go to: http://megpn.onefireplace.org/


Employment Opportunities

Monday, August 23, 2010
The Melbourne East GP Network is pleased to offer three new exciting employment opportunities:
- Administration Coordinator
- Administrator Assistant QUM/GPSS
- Clinical Education/Aged Care Program Officer

For more details as well as Position Descriptions please see http://www.megpn.com.au/Employment.aspx


Practice Nurse Funding UPDATE - ANNUAL Incentive

Friday, August 13, 2010
General Practices across Australia, accredited under the general practice standards of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners will be eligible for an incentive to offset the costs of employing a practice nurse.

The current proposal is an ANNUAL payment of $25,000 per full time GP for a Registered Nurse and an ANNUAL payment of $12,500 per full time GP for an Enrolled Nurse.

For full details please see the attached Fact Sheet



Erratum - Information relating to Practice Nurse payment

Friday, July 09, 2010
Please be advised that there was an error in the July edition of the Eastern. On page 3 the article Practice Nurse Initiative contains the wrong date – the program commences 1 January 2012 (not 2010).
For more information please see the attached document