For General Practitioners

General practitioners may be asked to vaccinate individuals, or to work with an employer (such as a meat processor) to test and vaccinate their staff.

Vaccination checklist Getting a password Submitting patient details Benefits of the register Getting more information

Detailed flowchart

Vaccination checklist

Detailed information about the use of Q-VAX^®, including pre-vaccination testing, is available from CSL, including a Q-VAX Product Information Sheet. The Australian Immunisation Handbook also has valuable information. This checklist highlights the important steps in the process:

1. Check
   
   • Check if a person seeking vaccination has already been vaccinated.
   • Ask them to call the Australian Q Fever Register on 1300 733 837 (1300 QFEVER)
2. Test
   • Test for previous exposure or vaccination.
     • Blood test - CFT antibody test
     • Skin test - intradermal hypersensitivity test
3. Vaccinate
   • If both tests are negative (and there are no other contraindications), vaccinate
4. Register
   • Record the test results and (if given) vaccination on the Q Fever Register using your password to log on.

Getting a password

Access to the register is limited by password to ensure privacy and accuracy of the data. Getting a password is quick and simple and is only required once. When you are issued with a password, you can submit patient details whenever you need to as well as verify a persons status (with their permission).

1. Download, print and complete two forms
• The application form. This is used to confirm that you are a medical practice and therefore have the right to access the register.
• The user registration form. This is used to request a password and to record the details of the person/people from your practice who require access to the register and who will be responsible for submiting data.
2. Mail or scan and email the completed signed forms to the Register (details below).
3. The Register staff will create a user account, and call you back with your password (normally within one day of receipt of the forms).

Submitting patient details

It is important that a record of every person tested and (if indicated) vaccinated be submitted to the register, unless the person refuses registration. This will help prevent the risk of vaccination of previously vaccinated individuals, and save the time and expense of retesting of people that have already been tested or vaccinated. To record a person's details on the register:

1. Download, print, and ask the patient to complete the Personal Details and Consent Form.
2. Make a copy of the record of immune and vaccination status.
   • You may use the Pre-screening and vaccination form or use a copy of the pathology report or other documentation.
3. Log on to the Register (http://www.qfever.org) using your password
4. Click on Register a new person and enter the individuals' details from the Consent Form.
   • Be sure to write the individual's assigned Q Fever number on their Consent Form
5. Click on Add Test Result Data and enter the test results. If vaccinated, click on Add Vaccination Data to add vaccination details.
   • Be sure to record the Q Fever File reference numbers on the prescreening & Vaccination form.
6. Mail, fax or scan and email the Consent Form and the evidence of test results and vaccination (e.g. the Pre-screening and vaccination form) to the Register:

   Australian Q Fever Register
   PO Box 3180
   South Brisbane QLD 4101
   
   Fax: 07 3844 8374
   
   Email: register@qfever.org

7. A Q Fever Card providing proof of their status will be mailed to the patient within a couple of days.

Benefits of the register

The Australian Q Fever Register was established to help protect people working in at-risk environments. The Register:

• Saves time
  • Prospective employees can immediately prove that they are immune by showing their Q Fever card or phoning the Register (if they have lost their card).
  • There is no need to wait one week for the test results.
  • There is no need to try to find records of tests or vaccination from other employers or medical practices.
  • Medical practices no longer receive requests to dig up old patient test and vaccination records.
• Saves money
  • Unnecessary re-testing of individuals is avoided.
  • The cost of seeking patient records is eliminated.
• Protects health
  • Instantly access to a patient's immune status removes the risk of serious hypersensitivity reactions following second vaccinations.
  • Providing employers with quick access to a person's immune status makes it easier for them to ensure that their workforce is properly protected.

Getting more information

For more information, including help on accessing or using the Register, please call the Q Fever help-line:

1300 QFEVER (1300 733 837)