September - APNA

NEWS
Early success for HPV
vaccination program
Australia is the first country to rollout a human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation program, and has achieved a high level of coverage
across the catch-up cohorts of 12 to 26-year-olds. Two new studies suggest that the impact of the program is already being felt.
When the national program commenced, the
Federal Government funded a two-year
catch-up program to cover 13 to 18-year-old girls,
with vaccinations delivered through schools, as
well as 18 to 26-year-old women, who received
vaccinations through general practice and
community-based programs.
The Gardasil HPV vaccine works by preventing
the transmission the four main cancer-causing
strains of the HPV — two of which cause cervical
cancer and two which cause genital warts. The
vaccine is the most effective when it is given before
sexual activity begins and exposure to HPV occurs.
A recent study carried out by The University
of New South Wales National Centre in HIV
Epidemiology and Clinical Research showed
that rates of new genital wart infections have
significantly dropped by 60% in women under
27 years of age since the program was launched
in mid-2007.
The data also showed a 30% reduction in new
genital warts cases in heterosexual men, which
researchers have attributed to reductions in
transmission from their partners — herd immunity
benefits. (Herd immunity theory suggests that, in
diseases passed from person to person, it is more
difficult to maintain a chain of infection when large
numbers of a population are immune.)
In another recent study, Victorian Cytology
Services demonstrated the world’s first drop in
precancerous lesions since the introduction of an
HPV vaccination program. The study showed the
number of cases of high grade cervical lesions has
fallen in women aged less than 20 years, suggesting
that the program is starting to reduce the
burden of cervical cancer.
Without the high level of coverage achieved in
the catch-up program these reductions in warts
and cervical abnormalities would not have been
realised as early they have been.
As a group we should all take great pride in our
role in the success of the program. Practice nurses
played a significant role targeting 18 to 26-yearold
women to participate in the HPV vaccination
program and getting them back for second and
third doses. We are aware of many of the efforts
in actively recalling and opportunistically
vaccinating eligible women and many APNA
members have been awarded for initiatives they
have put in place to support the HPV vaccination
program. It is fantastic to see the impact of the
program already being demonstrated.
APNA Best Practice Nurse Awards now open
The Australian Practice Nurses Association is
proud to announce that nominations for the
2010 APNA Best Practice Nurse Awards are
now open! With five award categories, the
APNA Best Practice Nurse Awards aim to
recognise and reward outstanding nurses
working in general practice.
In 2010 five awards are on offer, with prizes of
$5,000 for each winner to use in enhancing
their continuing professional development.
Previous recipients have used their monetary
prize to undertake work experience and education
in both local and international locations.
When considering whether to nominate,
remember that while what you do in your practice
might seem normal to you, it may be novel or new
to someone else. Please refer the 2009 Best
Practice Nurse Awards page on the APNA website
to read examples of what the past Best Practice
Nurse Award winners had done in their practices.
Nominations for the Best Practice Nurse Awards will close at 5.00 p.m. on Friday, 14 January 2011,
so make sure you send your nomination in soon!
Visit www.apna.asn.au then click through to ‘Best Practice Nurse Awards’ under the Events tab.
The categories open for nomination are:
Sponsor
Award Category
CSL Biotherapies Best Practice Nurse Award for Immunisation
TENA Best Practice Nurse Award for Continence Care
MSD Best Practice Nurse Award for Chronic Disease Management
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Quality Care
Musculoskeletal Best Practice Nurse Award
Pfizer Best Practice Nurse Award for Innovation
AGPAL Best Practice Nurse Award for Quality Improvement
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Primary Times September 2010