News

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In Practice: Be prepared for 2025 flu season

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This week’s In Practice also includes notifications of two disease outbreaks in Victoria, feedback sought on potential changes to the accreditation cycle and assessment of general practices, and general practices invited to become a pilot site to test a new endometriosis clinical tool.
 
National Immunisation Program 2025 influenza vaccination
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released advice regarding the administration of 2025 seasonal influenza vaccines.
 
Recommendation from GPs and other healthcare providers is the strongest predictor of a person’s decision to vaccinate.
 
GPs are reminded to familiarise themselves with the latest flu vaccine advice and resources:

• Annual influenza vaccination for all people aged six months and over is the most important measure to prevent infection
• Vaccination is particularly important for those most at risk, with the need to improve uptake in children under five, people who are pregnant and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Flu vaccines can be co-administered with any COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines
• Vaccines provided to pregnant women can be co-administered with the maternal RSV vaccine (between 28–36 weeks), pertussis vaccine (between 20–32 weeks) COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines indicated during pregnancy
• Annual vaccination should ideally occur before the onset of each flu season when it becomes available, likely March or April

Annual influenza vaccination is funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for:
 

• all children aged six months to less than five years
• all adults aged 65 years and over
• specific populations aged five to less than 65 years at increased risk of severe influenza (all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who have certain medical conditions and pregnant women).

Refer to state or territory health department websites for more information on funding of flu vaccines for other groups.
 
All 2024 influenza vaccine stock has now expired. To prevent a vaccine administration error, ensure all expired 2024 influenza vaccine stock has been discarded. 2025 influenza vaccines are anticipated to be available to order from early April.
 
Further advice and resources will be available on the Department of Health and Aged Care website and the RACGP Immunisation resources webpage.
 
Japanese encephalitis update: Second case confirmed in Victoria
A second confirmed case of Japanese encephalitis has been identified in a resident of northern Victoria, with likely exposure in the Riverina region of New South Wales along the Murray River. The virus has also been detected in mosquito populations and through environmental surveillance across Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland this summer.
 
GPs are reminded to advise residents and visitors to northern Victoria and inland riverine regions of an increased risk of infection and to take preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites.
 
Japanese encephalitis vaccination is available free-of-charge for eligible people in 24 northern Victorian local government areas and those at occupational risk. Booster doses are now recommended for some individuals one to two years after their primary course if they remain eligible.
 
GPs should remain alert for symptoms, including fever, headache, and neurological signs, and immediately notify the Department of Health of any suspected cases by calling 1300 651 160.
 
Measles outbreak identified in Victoria
A local measles outbreak has been confirmed in Victoria, with two new cases detected in metropolitan Melbourne. These cases have no known links to recent travel or other infections, raising concerns about community transmission.
 
All healthcare professionals are urged to remain vigilant and consider measles in patients with fever and rash, particularly those who have recently been in metropolitan Melbourne. Suspected cases should be tested, advised to isolate, and reported immediately to the Victorian Health Department at 1300 651 160.
 
All Victorians born after 1966 are eligible for a free measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, with two doses required for full immunity. Those unsure of their vaccination status, particularly individuals born between 1966 and 1992, should consult an immunisation provider.
 
More information is available on the Victoria Health website and the RACGP’s measles factsheet and checklist.
 
Public consultation on accreditation process
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) is seeking feedback on potential changes to the accreditation cycle and assessment of general practices.
 
Consultation is now open for the general practice sector to share their views on two proposed options:
 

1. Extended accreditation cycle with at least one mid-point review 
2. Assessment conducted at short notice

Help shape changes to the National General Practice Accreditation Scheme by:
 

• providing feedback through a short online survey or written submission
• attending an online focus group facilitated by the ACSQHC
• sharing the consultation resources with anyone in your network who may be interested.

Alternate ideas and suggestions on how the accreditation experience and assessment process for general practices could be improved are also welcomed.
 
Feedback can be provided by 4 April, and more information is available on the ACSQHC website.
 
Endometriosis Management Plan pilot
Supported by Federal Government funding, researchers from the SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence have developed and are implementing an Endometriosis Management Plan (EMP). 
 
This plan supports the navigation and management of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain for healthcare providers and their patients in primary care settings. The EMP was co-developed with clinicians, patients, and relevant stakeholders, and integrates the Australian clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of endometriosis. It provides up-to-date, evidence-based guidance via a customisable and downloadable template.
 
GPs and other healthcare providers are invited to test this newly developed tool as one of the pilot sites starting in May. The pilot will help facilitate and optimise the management of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain in Australian primary care. Clinics will be reimbursed $1500 for participation (additionally up to $300 per GP and up to $100 per patient).
 
More information about becoming a pilot site is available here or questions can be sent to endo-mp@monash.edu
 
GP Research Noticeboard
The GP Research Noticeboard presents surveys and research projects for GPs to participate in. Current projects listed on the noticeboard include:
 

• ‘Bridging the gap in physical activity and diet support for breast cancer survivors’
• ‘Optimising the satisfaction and progression of international medical graduates in rural general practice training’
• ‘Exploring GP perceptions on implementing a biomarker test to diagnose neurodegenerative disease in general practice’.

Members can also submit their research projects to the noticeboard to invite participation from the general practice community. 

Log in below to join the conversation.
 

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accreditation endometriosis flu influenza vaccine Japanese encephalitis measles process vaccine

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