No forms, no meningococcal vaccinations

By REBECCA WALSH health reporter

A Mangere doctor's clinic has had to stop vaccinating children against meningococcal disease because of an apparent administrative bungle.

Dr John Allen, of the Mangere Health Centre, said up to 20 children were turned away yesterday because the clinic ran out of the paper forms doctors must fill out for each child they vaccinate.

Dr Allen said the clinic's computerised system had not yet been approved to link to the National Immunisation Register. As a result, doctors had to fill out a paper form, which included personal details such as a child's ethnicity and NHI (National Health Index) number.

The clinic, which vaccinated 400 children last week, had requested more forms on Wednesday when doctors realised they would run out. The printer had told them no more were available. A call to the Ministry of Health had confirmed that.

"We have the vaccine in the fridge and people coming in wanting it but we can't give it to them ... It's very frustrating," Dr Allen said.

"People want it done now, which we can understand. If they are turned away they may not come back next time or it may be more difficult to get them to return."

Dr Allen said that before the start of the $200 million national campaign to vaccinate all those under 20 against meningococcal B disease, the clinic had been asked to forecast how many forms it would need a week. It had estimated 500.

Ministry spokesman Angus Barclay said the problem would be sorted out today.

"There are forms around and we will get them to them as soon as possible."

Mr Barclay said most GP clinics filled the information out electronically and used the paper system as a back-up.

A spokeswoman for the Counties Manukau District Health Board said it was a "minor hiccup" given the scale of the project.

The free programme started at surgeries in South Auckland and some eastern suburbs last week.

Vaccinations in schools will begin next week.