Here’s an update on a few of the issues AMA Victoria is working on for members, including:

• Immunisation program meeting / expanding mpox vaccine eligibility in Victoria
• 'Name A Place' drive nearing conclusion- final submissions welcome
• Healthcare worker family wellbeing project.

Immunisation program meeting / expanding mpox vaccine eligibility in Victoria

In last week’s Check-Up, AMA Victoria updated members about our upcoming November meeting with the Victorian Department of Health’s Immunisation Program. Topics on the agenda include:

• Government-funded vaccine ordering rules
• 2025 RSV immunisation program
• 2024 influenza vaccination evaluation
• Mpox vaccination program
• Japanese encephalitis vaccination program
• Scope of practice for immunisers in Victoria
• Other business.

Thanks to feedback from members, we’ve recently urged the Victorian Government to expand mpox vaccine eligibility in response to the evolving outbreak. While the current ATAGI guidelines have been effective, broader access is essential to prevent further spread. Expanding eligibility to sexually active heterosexual men and women would help contain the virus and aligns with Victoria’s proactive public health strategy. We’ve encouraged the Government to act swiftly on this.

At the November meeting, we’ll also raise members concerns about vaccine ordering, cuts to refugee and migrant vaccination programs, the JE program, immunisers’ scope of practice, and the ongoing pertussis outbreak in Victoria.

If members have additional feedback, please contact Senior Policy Adviser Lewis Horton at [email protected].

Further reading:

• Supplies of flu and COVID vaccines for general practice (22 May 2024)
• Vaccine ordering update (5 June 2024)
• Advocacy for free universal access to influenza and RSV vaccines (24 July 2024)
• Update on RSV Vaccines in Victoria (2 October 2024)

 

'Name A Place' drive nearing conclusion- final submissions welcome

AMA Victoria’s Name A Place Drive is nearing conclusion, offering members the opportunity to honour underrepresented pioneering medical practitioners who have made lasting contributions to healthcare. We thank everyone who has contributed their suggestions so far.

If you'd like to submit a nomination or request an endorsement letter, please send the nominee’s biography to [email protected]. With the consultation closing on 25 November, we encourage any final nominations from members.  For more details on many of these medical pioneers, you can refer to Strength of Mind – 125 Years of Women in Medicine, available online.

 

Healthcare worker family wellbeing project

Researchers at Deakin University want to know more about what family and mental health supports are needed and wanted by healthcare workers and their families.  

Share your thoughts in a 1hr online interview and/or brief 5–10-minute surveys. Your insights will be vital in helping shape meaningful solutions! 

Participants who complete the study receive an eGift Card as a token of thanks.

This study has received Deakin University ethics approval (reference number: 2024/HE000413).

To express your interest in taking part in this study, contact [email protected] or click on the following link:

https://researchsurveys.deakin.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_cCMZLzCVpoFFswK