Original Research

Tailoring immunisation programs in Lismore, New South Wales - we want our children to be healthy and grow well, and immunisation really helps

AUTHORS

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Susan Thomas
1 DrPH, Research Officer * ORCID logo

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Virginia Paden
2 Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion, Aboriginal Immunisation Support Officer

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Carolyn Lloyd
3 Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Immunisation Coordinator and Clinical Nurse Consultant

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Jacqueline Tudball
4 PhD, Post Doctoral Reseracher

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Paul Corben
5 Masters Applied Science (Operations Research), Director North Coast Public Health, Mid North Coast and Northern NSW LHDs (former)

AFFILIATIONS

1, 4 School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2298, Australia

2, 3 Public Health Unit, Northern New South Wales Local Health District, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia

5 Public Health Unit, Mid North Coast Local Health District, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia

ACCEPTED: 21 November 2021


early abstract:

Objective: In Lismore, NSW 175 children were overdue for scheduled vaccinations, with 11% being Aboriginal (2018). This study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the reasons for low coverage.
Methods: Parents and service providers were invited to interviews and focus groups. Open ended questions were asked about immunisation barriers and enablers and what strategies may be effective in improving coverage in Lismore.
Results: We interviewed 35 participants. Six themes were developed; i) Childhood immunisation in Lismore is limited by access barriers to health services, ii) Some families may need additional support to access immunisation services, iii) Health services need to ensure that Aboriginal families feel safe and comfortable when accessing their service, iv) Parents valued reminders and recalls to keep their children’s immunisations up to date, v) Parent’s views influence their decisions to immunise their children, vi) Reliable information about immunisation needs to be available in ways that are meaningful and appropriate for parents.
Conclusion: Access barriers and vaccine hesitancy were contributing to children falling behind in their scheduled immunisations in Lismore.  More flexible health services, culturally safe and appropriate care and more practical support can help overcome structural barriers to health services. Tailored health messages for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal parents can assist parents in making wise vaccination choices.
Implications for public health: More consistent analysis and reporting of routinely available data can identify pockets of low coverage. Publicly funded health services and ACCHS are well placed to provide flexible immunisation services for those families who may struggle with access barriers.