Review of Australia’s Health Sector Response to Pandemic (H1N1) 2009: Lessons Identified

Chapter 9: Vaccination

Table of contents

Pre-established contracts with vaccine manufacturers aided the early availability of a pandemic vaccine in Australia.
A customised pandemic vaccine using current technology is unlikely to be available during the first wave of an influenza epidemic.
The national vaccination program contributed to the substantially lower than expected levels of circulating pandemic influenza virus during Australia’s 2010 influenza season and the low impact of influenza on the Australian population in 2010.
A primarily GP-based vaccination program was an appropriate response in 2009.
Pandemic planning needs to cover a range of vaccination program scenarios based on disease virulence. Communicating the rationale of a vaccination program is a key component to its success.
The value of accurate records of vaccination during a pandemic needs further consideration.

Text box 9: Vaccination guidance from AHMPPI 2008

Objective

Purpose

A candidate vaccine may reduce the severity of illness in those who become infected, or prevent infection in some people, but not to the extent of a customised pandemic vaccine.
A customised pandemic vaccine is an important tool in responding to an influenza pandemic to protect the vulnerable and prevent or control spread of the virus.

Governance

Prioritising initial doses of pandemic vaccine is a whole-of-government decision to be made at the time.

This information is current for 17 May, 2012
This information was issued on October, 2011

Level of Pandemic Threat
ALERT Phase