Rollout of Panvax H1N1 Vaccine in Australia
In September, the Australian Government launched its national H1N1 vaccination program using the Panvax® vaccine developed locally by the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL). Twenty one million doses have been ordered.
Due to practical, logistical and medical reasons, there are no plans to deliver the national H1N1 vaccination program to Australian tourists and expatriates overseas.
More information regarding the vaccine and the vaccine delivery program can be found in the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Travel Bulletin and the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) Health Emergency website.
The following general advice is provided:
- The pandemic influenza is re-emerging in the northern hemisphere. Pandemic influenza has been detected in just about every country since it first emerged in March 2009.
- The national H1N1 vaccination program is being carried out by Australian state and territory health services, general practitioners and other immunisation providers. The vaccine is being provided free in Australia.
- Australian missions overseas do not have stocks of the Panvax® H1N1 vaccine to provide to Australian travellers or expatriates.
- The vaccine cannot be transported overseas and is not commercially available in Australia. The vaccine is only to be administered in Australia by Australian health professionals.
- Australians overseas who wish to receive the vaccination will need to return to Australia. Alternatively, pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccines may be available from local health providers in other countries.
- Local health agencies or health providers should be contacted regarding the detail of H1N1 vaccines and delivery programs. Current advice from the Brunei Ministry of Health is that:
the first batch of 6,000 doses was received in October for high risk categories and for frontline health workers;
the second batch of 40,000 doses should be received in December 2009, and the final batch, bringing the total to 400,000 doses, should be received by January 2010;
the MoH has selected 8 health clinics across the country to deliver the vaccine;
the vaccine will be delivered, free of charge, to residents of Brunei (citizens, PRs, and those with work/student permits for example); and
the MoH will provide further information in January once the vaccine becomes available to the public, including where to go for the vaccinations.
For general advice on health issues for travellers please refer to the "Travelling Well" bulletin.
Other Useful H1N1 Information
The World Health Organization is coordinating the global response to human cases of H1N1 Influenza 09 and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. On 11 June 2009 the WHO increased its alert phase from 5 to 6. For further information and regular updates on the global situation see the WHO website. This site also provides information on their alert phases and pandemic preparedness.
The Brunei Ministry of Health also provides updates on the Brunei situation via its website and helpline on +673 2384234. Updates and a Frequently Asked Questions section are provided in both Malay and English. The MoH increased its alert phase on 30 April, in response to the WHO's shift in the global alert phase.
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), based in Atlanta, USA, also provides information on the H1N1 09 influenza strain.
To keep updated with travel alerts and information bulletins, we encourage all Australians resident in or visiting Brunei to register with smartraveller.gov.au.