Mapping barriers and enablers to childhood immunisation for Northern Queensland PHN
Status: Completed October 2024
Client: Northern Queensland Primary Health Network
Background
Chilhood immunisation is one of the critical components of the North Queensland First 1,000 Days Framework. Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) identified low and declining rates of childhood immunisation in several areas across their region. Beacon Strategies was engged to better understand the barriers, enablers and opportunities relating to childhood immunisation accessibility and availability. This work aimed to inform possible regional approaches to lifting vaccination rates amongst children aged under five years.
Approach
We delivered a place-based mapping and analysis process that combined desktop research, service provider interviews and community-informed insights. We undertook an environmental scan to analyse national/state policy, relevant research and evidence and population data trends. We undertook consultation with communities through ‘pop up’ consultation in local spaces with parents/caregivers, as well as interviews with immunisation service providers in the general practice and community health settings. We explored what was working well in the system to enable access to immunisation services, gathered experiences and examples of the common barriers families face in getting vaccinated, and identified opportunities to continue exploring that could improve access in future.
Outcome
We reported back to NQPHN with a broad range of findings and recommendations opportunities to increase access to immunisation services that reflect the needs of local communities. In particular, we identified the importance of:
integrating immunisations as a routine component of comprehensive child health
taking immunisation services and information to where people are,
immunisation-specific quality improvement activities to ensure a compassionate and quality ‘model of care’.
regional collaboration and coordination to lift vaccination rates.
How this links to our vision of 'a more impactful social purpose sector'
This project supports our vision of a more impactful social purpose sector by translating broad public health objectives into practical and locally relevant strategies that genuinely reflect what community members need, and how service providers can contribute.
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