Australian Immunisation Register eligibility restrictions
After a recent review the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) has found that some immunisation medical exemptions were certified by providers who do not meet the eligibility criteria. The Department of Human Services (DHS) has acknowledged that those GPs may not have been aware of this restriction and has this week written to them and the parents of affected children.
The AIR is a national register that records vaccinations given to people of all ages in Australia. A recognised vaccination provider can record vaccines given to individuals in Australia and overseas on the AIR.
GPs that are eligible to certify immunisation medical exemptions under the Australian Immunisation Register Act 2015 are:
- fellows of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
- fellows of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
- vocationally registered general practitioners
- general practice registrars on an approved 3GA training placement
The DHS letters advise that any immunisation medical exemptions certified by a provider who is not eligible will not be valid from 22 January 2018.
For GPs in rural and remote areas, if your patient requires a new medical exemption but does not live near an eligible doctor, they may be able to access the Telehealth Program and may be eligible for Medicare benefits. For more information on this, visit the Telehealth website.
Visit the AIR website for more information.
