The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition 2013

PART 2 VACCINATION PROCEDURES
In Australia, vaccination is undertaken predominantly through general practices,
but in some jurisdictions vaccines may be given through local council clinics,
community centres or through school-based immunisation programs. In some
situations, vaccinations may also be given in travel medicine clinics, public
hospitals, staff occupational health clinics and aged care facilities. State or
territory legislation outlines who can access and administer vaccines. All vaccines
must be administered in accordance with the relevant legislation, best practice
and the following Handbook guidelines and recommendations.
2.1 PRE-VACCINATION
The following sections discuss steps and procedures that should occur before a
vaccination encounter.
2.1.1 Preparing an anaphylaxis response kit
The availability of protocols, equipment and drugs necessary for the
management of anaphylaxis should be checked before each vaccination session.
An anaphylaxis response kit should be on hand at all times and should contain:
• adrenaline 1:1000 (minimum of three ampoules – check expiry dates)
• minimum of three 1 mL syringes and 25 mm length needles (for
intramuscular [IM] injection)
• cotton wool swabs
• pen and paper to record time of administration of adrenaline
• laminated copy of adrenaline doses (Table 2.3.2 or back cover of this
Handbook)
• laminated copy of ‘Recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis’ (back cover
of this Handbook).
See 2.3.2 Adverse events following immunisation for details on recognition and
treatment of adverse events following immunisation (in particular, see ‘Use of
adrenaline’ and ‘Use of adrenaline autoinjectors for anaphylaxis treatment’ in
that section).
2.1.2 Effective cold chain: transport, storage and handling of vaccines
The cold chain is the system of transporting and storing vaccines within the
temperature range of +2°C to +8°C from the place of manufacture to the point
of administration. 1 Maintenance of the cold chain is essential for maintaining
vaccine potency and, in turn, vaccine effectiveness. This is vital, not only for
those vaccines provided as part of the National Immunisation Program, but also
for vaccines purchased by the patient via prescription from a pharmacist. In such
24 The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th edition