Prevention, screening and immunisation
Chronic disease prevention
The Queensland Government’s My Health For Life (MH4L) program is a free behaviour change program designed for people at high risk of developing a chronic disease. It is designed to support participants to make small lifestyle changes that can have significant, long-term health benefits.
The program supports the primary health care network by extending on advice given by health professionals and includes six coaching sessions (either phone or group sessions) for participants over six months by qualified health professionals and MH4L facilitators, and an ongoing maintenance program.
Get involved
MH4L run a number of local groups across the Brisbane south region.
Note: GPs and HPs can refer their patients to the upcoming face to face or videoconference sessions (below) or one-one telephone coaching
Patients can be referred using the practice software My health for life referral template or calling 13 74 75.
Local MH4L group start dates
| Date | Time | Provider | Facilitator | Suburb |
| Monday, 6 June 2022 | 09.30 am | Nutrition Insight | Susan Phillips | Sunnybank |
| Thursday, 9 June 2022 | 5.30 pm | Nutrition Insight | Susan Phillips | Browns Plains |
| Wednesday, 15 June | 09.00 am | Coordinated Fitness | Rachael Tredoux | Greenslopes |
| Tuesday, 5 July 2022 | 5.30 pm | Nutrition Insight | Susan Phillips | Browns Plains |
| Wednesday, 20 July 2022 | 10:00 am | Saalihah Seedat Consulting Services | Saalihah Seedat | Carindale |
| Monday, 25 July 2022 (Videoconference group) | 6:30 pm | Saalihah Seedat Consulting Services | Saalihah Seedat | Underwood |
| Thursday, 4 August 2022 (Videoconference group) | 12:30 pm | Saalihah Seedat Consulting Services | Saalihah Seedat | Underwood |
| Monday, 8 August 2022 | 9:15 am | Saalihah Seedat Consulting Services | Saalihah Seedat | Underwood |
For more information, visit myhealthforlife.com.au
To find out more about your practice getting involved in MH4L, you can contact Brisbane South PHN or MH4L directly.
Cancer screening
Brisbane South PHN recommends all practices regularly check and participate in training about current screening guidelines for breast cancer, cervical cancer and bowel cancer:
- Breast screening
- National Cervical Screening program
- Cervical Screening Online Training Modules
- RACGP and the NSCP cervical cancer screening guidelines
- National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP)
- Clinical Guidelines – National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
- NBSCP and Australia Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) Bowel cancer education
- Quality improvement toolkit for general practice – cancer prevention
There are many ways for practices to encourage patients to participate in screening, including:
- displaying brochures, fliers and posters
- demonstrating test kit use
- sending reminders to eligible patients.
Immunisation in primary care
‘Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases before they come into contact with them. Immunisation protects not only individuals, but also others in the community by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.’
‘Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases before they come into contact with them. Immunisation protects not only individuals, but also others in the community by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.’
Brisbane South PHN supports the primary care vaccine service providers to increase immunisation coverage within the Brisbane south area through the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule and the Queensland Immunisation Program.
The Australian Immunisation Handbook provides clinical advice for health professionals on the safest and most effective use of vaccines in their practice.
Information and resources
Updates
- National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule changes from 1 July 2020
- Updated resources
- Updated recommendations
- Australian Immunisation Handbook Mobile app
- National Immunisation Catch up calculator
- Risk conditions for pneumococcal disease (funded and not funded)
- Pneumococcal vaccines for Australians – Fact sheet
- Meningococcal vaccines for Australians – Fact sheet
Users can access additional information to assist with the interpretation of the recommendations from the Australian Immunisation Handbook website’s Recommendations and Resources pages.
Immunisation resources
- Australian Immunisation Handbook
- Queensland immunisation schedule 2020
- Latest news Department of Health
- Immunisation program updates
- National vaccine storage guidelines “Strive for 5”
- Department of Health resources
- Adverse events following immunisation reporting form (AEFI)
- The Pneumosmart vaccination tool
- Online catch up calculator
- Questions about vaccination
- Following vaccination – what to expect and what to do (tear off pads)
- NCIRS fact sheets
- Pre-Vaccination Screening Checklist and Consent Form
- Pre-vaccination checklist for Zostavax administration
- Catch-up vaccination
- Vaccination procedures
- Preparing an anaphylaxis response kit
- Quality improvement toolkit for general practice – shingles
- Quality improvement toolkit for general practice – pneumococcal
Online education
- Immunisation – General and COVID-19 vaccination
- Queensland Health online courses for immunisation service providers
- Immunisation training videos developed by the Immunisation Program for training purposes (how to administer vaccines, first contact with a vaccine-hesitant parent, doctors speaking to a vaccine-hesitant mother, yarning about immunisation, setting up a purpose-built fridge, how to pack an esky with vaccines)
- APNA (Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association)
- National Centre Immunisation Research and Surveillance NCIRS webinars
Vaccine management (cold chain)
Australian Immunisation Register
Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) is a national register that records all vaccines given to all people in Australia.
Influenza
Influenza vaccination for 2022
Annual vaccination is the most important measure to prevent influenza and its complications and is recommended for all people aged 6 months and over, including vaccination for every pregnancy and at any stage of pregnancy.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been reduced circulation of influenza virus and lower levels of influenza vaccine coverage. A resurgence of influenza is expected as borders reopen. People who are planning international travel should ensure they have had a 2022 influenza vaccination before departure.
2022 influenza vaccination guidelines can be found under Queensland Health Vaccine service provider information:
- vaccine strains
- best timing for vaccination
- COVID-19 vaccination
- important information on the Australian Immunisation Register
- eligibility for 2022 season influenza vaccines
- dosage and administration
- influenza immunisation program advice 2022.
ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2022
Key points:
- All vaccinations must be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
- All COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered (given on the same day) with an influenza vaccine.
- For adults aged ≥65 years, the adjuvanted influenza vaccine, Fluad® Quad, is preferentially recommended. There is no preference for use between either Fluad® Quad or Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent in this age group.
- If a person had a 2021 influenza vaccine in late 2021 or early 2022, they are still recommended to receive a 2022 formulation of influenza vaccine.
- Eligibility for influenza vaccines funded by the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
- Medical conditions for which individuals are eligible for funded vaccines under the NIP.
Resources
Queensland Health 2022 influenza immunisation program advice poster
- which vaccines to give for specific age groups
- people with medical conditions who are eligible for funded influenza vaccine
- vaccine ordering and supply details.
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)
• Influenza fact sheet
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Influenza vaccination during COVID-19 – FAQ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Queensland Government Flu prevention resources
Vaccines from community pharmacy – ‘at a glance’ resource
• What vaccines are available from community pharmacy
• Is the vaccine free?
• Would the vaccine be free from my GP?
Quality Improvement Toolkit for General Practice – Prevention Influenza Vaccination 2022
QI toolkits are available online at Brisbane South PHN DiscoverPHN learning portal for access to a pdf fillable version.