Healthcare professionals gathered at the tenth annual Western NSW Primary Health Network’s (WNSW PHN) Annual Immunisation Conference.
Last month, 314 healthcare professionals including practice nurses, nurse immunisers and Aboriginal Health Practitioners, gathered in Orange, Dubbo and Broken Hill at the Western NSW Primary Health Network’s (WNSW PHN) Annual Immunisation Conference.
The WNSW PHN, in partnership with the Western NSW Local Health District and the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance provided a platform for the sector to learn, collaborate and reaffirm their commitment to vaccination.
A diverse panel of specialist speakers including Dr Archana Koirala, Dee Brogan, Prof. Julie Leask, Dr Victor Carey, Priscilla Stanley, Belinda Tracy, Fiona Quinn, Kim Rice, Kendal Ball, Wendy Holmes and Alice Gordon delivered insights into immunisation coverage, public health challenges, and emerging threats.
WNSW PHN CEO, Brad Porter said the conference sessions were designed to support immunisation workers with the latest updates on vaccines, local coverage data, best practice in catch-up schedules, managing anaphylaxis, and immunisation in immunocompromised patients.
“We also explored current advice on COVID-19, influenza, RSV, local Q fever, arbovirus and pneumococcal disease, and discussed how to have respectful, evidencebased conversations with patients who have vaccine safety concerns,” Mr Porter said.
“Immunisation remains as one of the most effective medical interventions available.
“Community-led health strategies are essential to maintaining and increasing vaccine confidence, especially among First Nations populations.
“Vaccines save between 3.5 and 5 million lives globally each year – it’s our collective effort that make this possible,” Mr Porter said.