The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition 2013

a person who is now ≥7 years of age can be made available to an immunisation
service provider or parent/carer.
The National HPV Vaccination Program Register (NHVPR, also referred to as
the ‘HPV Register’) holds details of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations
reported to the Register since the commencement of the HPV Vaccination
Program in April 2007. The NHVPR initially only recorded vaccinations for
females, but from 2013 will also record vaccinations given to males. Details of
HPV vaccinations held by the NHVPR can be obtained by phoning the Register
on 1800 478 734 (1800 HPV REG). (See also 2.3.4 Immunisation registers.)
In older children and adolescents, alternative sources of documentation (such as
personal health records) will be needed, but are less likely to be available with
increasing age. Persons who do not have personal vaccination records may seek
evidence of past vaccination from their parents, their past and present healthcare
providers or immunisation service providers. Those born after 1990 may have
some vaccinations recorded on the ACIR (see 2.3.4 Immunisation registers).
Information on how to obtain records of vaccines received through school-based
vaccination programs can be obtained from state and territory government health
departments (see Appendix 1 Contact details for Australian, state and territory
government health authorities and communicable disease control).
Adults (≥18 years of age)
In adults, patient-held and/or provider-held documentation of previous
vaccination history may not be available. In some cases, information may be
available from other sources, such as the National HPV Vaccination Program
Register and the Australian Q Fever Register. (See also 2.3.4 Immunisation
registers.)
Incomplete documentation of prior vaccination
If receipt of prior vaccination cannot be confirmed via the above methods, it
should generally be assumed that the vaccine(s) required have not been given
previously. All efforts should be made to confirm and ensure appropriate
documentation of prior receipt of vaccines.
For most vaccines (except Q fever), there are no adverse events associated with
additional doses if given to an already immune person. In the case of diphtheria-,
tetanus- and pertussis-containing vaccines and pneumococcal polysaccharide
vaccines, frequent additional doses may be associated with an increase in local
adverse events; however, the benefits of protection may outweigh the risk of an
adverse reaction, for example, protection against pertussis from a booster dose
of dTpa. (See also 4.2 Diphtheria, 4.12 Pertussis, 4.13 Pneumococcal disease or 4.19
Tetanus.) Additional doses of MMR, varicella, inactivated poliomyelitis (IPV) or
hepatitis B vaccines are rarely associated with significant adverse events.
40 The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th edition