A national Q Fever vaccination database previously managed on the meat and livestock industry’s behalf by AusMeat has been transferred to the Australian Immunisation Register.

Most readers will be familiar with their COVIDSafe app confirming their COVID vaccine status, and the National Vaccination Register operates a similar way, providing an easily accessible immunisation history statement to all people in Australia covering their vaccine status covering COVID, common flu, diseases under the National Immunisation Program, travel infectious disease risks and now, Q Fever.

The previous AusMeat-managed Australian Q-Fever database, operating since 2001, was the first non-statutory health register to be established in Australia. It will now close permanently next year.

All people working in Australian with cattle, sheep or goats, or in red meat processing, are encouraged to seek vaccination for the debilitating bacterial infection that can cause a severe, prolonged flu-like illness. A safe and effective vaccine is available to protect people at risk. Screening is required to identify who can be vaccinated.

Some business sites do not allow entry without appropriate Q Fever protection.

From 15 April, vaccination providers should report Q Fever (Q-VAX) vaccines and natural immunity information to the Australian Immunisation Register. This will support the closure of the Q Fever Register that is owned and funded by the Australian Meat Processor Corporation and administered by AusMeat.

The Australian Immunisation Register will not include information about vaccination or natural immunity status prior to 15 April 2024, unless the individual has arranged for this information to be reported to the Register by a vaccination provider.

Vaccination providers are no longer be able to report Q Fever vaccine information to the existing Q Fever Register.

Information for individuals who have a record in Q Fever Register

Individuals with an existing record within the Q Fever Register can take their Q Fever vaccination evidence (Q Fever eStatement) to a recognised vaccination provider and have the details reported to the Australian Immunisation Register.

Individuals can access their information on the Q Fever Register, including their Q Fever eStatement, until 30 June 2025.

Accessing Q Fever eStatements from the Q Fever Register

Individuals can access their Q Fever eStatement by:

• Logging on to the Q Fever Register website and downloading a copy.
• Requesting a copy by contacting the Q Fever Register by calling 1300 733 837. An individual’s identity must be verified before the release of any information. Individuals are required to provide their full name, date of birth and answer to the security question (or provide their Q Fever Number).

More information on how individuals can access their Q fever vaccination evidence (Q Fever eStatement)  from the Q Fever Register can be found on the Q Fever Register website.