Mother And Daughter Visiting Doctor In Surgery
Providing wider access to vaccination settings and funding healthcare professionals to spend more time educating patients could help reverse declining childhood vaccination rates, a new study suggests. Published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, the study outlines practical strategies to improve vaccine uptake among children, emphasizing the role of primary care in a multi-faceted action plan.
The recommendations come as childhood vaccination rates have been declining each year since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the latest analysis from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS), coverage has remained below the national target of 95% across all three standard age milestones.
Proposed Strategies for Improvement
The study identifies several actionable steps to enhance vaccine accessibility and uptake. These include:
- Improving accessibility of GP appointments by encouraging and supporting GPs to see new patients for immunisation consultations.
- Extending vaccination clinic times to after-hours and during weekends.
- Offering drop-in vaccination appointments.
- Supporting funding for nurse-led clinics in general practice.
- Funding healthcare providers’ dedicated time for vaccination conversations.
- Ensuring education around supportive vaccination conversations in professional development programs, such as the RACGP’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program.
The researchers also highlight the need for increased bulk-billed vaccination appointments and wider access to vaccination delivery across different settings, such as general practices, community clinics, pharmacies, and community events.
Understanding Barriers to Vaccination
The recommendations build on results from a 2024 national survey of parents that identified key barriers to childhood vaccination. These barriers include out-of-pocket costs, limited appointment availability, lack of opportunities to discuss vaccination with providers, and eroding trust.
Lead author Dr. Kasia Bolsewicz, a Social Science Research Fellow at NCIRS, emphasized the urgent need for coordinated action across policy, program, healthcare provider, and community settings.
“Childhood vaccination rates have declined each year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prioritising catch-up vaccinations for children who are overdue for their recommended doses is essential to protect them from potentially life-threatening, vaccine-preventable diseases,”
she said.
Expert Opinions and Challenges
Dr. Michael Tam, a member of the Expert Committee – Quality Care, acknowledged the study’s commonsense recommendations but cautioned against measures that could disrupt the GP–patient relationship.
“Timely access to vaccination is clearly important, but it’s crucial that any new measures don’t interrupt the relationship that mothers and babies have with their regular GP,”
he told newsGP.
Dr. Tam also noted the challenges of extending access to vaccination outside standard general practice hours, citing higher demand during these times and potential increases in practice costs and resourcing. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the GP–patient relationship in all efforts to improve vaccination rates.
Education and Community Initiatives
The study also recommends educating medical professionals on having supportive vaccine conversations with patients, which could be delivered through CPD programs. However, Dr. Tam pointed out that GPs are already well-versed in this area, as they deliver the majority of vaccines outside the school vaccination program.
Practical approaches to increase vaccination could include locally driven programs and pilots, with local GPs involved.
“This can help generate some good ideas at a community level to support getting vaccines to children who are missing out and explore ways to access those children,”
Dr. Tam suggested.
However, he reiterated that any moves to increase access must not disrupt the existing relationship patients have with GPs, as childhood health and preventive care encompass more than vaccines alone.
The study’s findings and recommendations are expected to inform future policy and practice, aiming to address the challenges of declining vaccination rates and ensure children receive timely and essential immunizations.
