TY - JOUR
T1 - How COVID-19 has impacted immunisation service delivery in Australia
T2 - a national study
AU - Giles, Michelle L.
AU - O'Bryan, Jessica
AU - Angliss, Margaret
AU - Lee, Sue
AU - Krishnaswamy, Sushena
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was funded by the Department of Health, Immunisation Branch, Canberra, Australia. The funders for this project provided input into the survey development and assisted with distribution to states/territories. The opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the funding agency.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors.
PY - 2022/8
Y1 - 2022/8
N2 - Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the delivery of adult, maternal and childhood immunisation services in Australia in 2020 prior to the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, and to understand the adaptations made at a service delivery level that may have contributed to the successful delivery of immunisation services during the first year of the pandemic. Methods: An electronic survey was sent to immunisation providers and pharmacists in all states and territories in Australia between November 2020 and December 2020. It explored interruption to the delivery of immunisation services, strategies implemented to maintain services, prioritisation of populations, and self-reported challenges and solutions initiated by providers. Results: A total of 850 people responded to the survey. Of these, the most common professional groups identified were pharmacists followed by nurse immunisers, nurses/midwives and general practitioners. Several changes were implemented including relocation of vaccination clinics, change to bookings rather than walk-in appointments, infection prevention measures, clients waiting in cars pre- and post-vaccination and reduced observation period post-vaccination. Conclusion: The pandemic has provided opportunities for services to trial new and innovative strategies such as electronic pre-assessment, electronic consent and drive-through vaccination services. Implications for public health: Immunisation providers mostly viewed these changes positively and intend to continue many post-pandemic. The experience gained from the trialling of these strategies may be adapted for vaccine delivery and National Immunisation Program vaccines beyond the pandemic.
AB - Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the delivery of adult, maternal and childhood immunisation services in Australia in 2020 prior to the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, and to understand the adaptations made at a service delivery level that may have contributed to the successful delivery of immunisation services during the first year of the pandemic. Methods: An electronic survey was sent to immunisation providers and pharmacists in all states and territories in Australia between November 2020 and December 2020. It explored interruption to the delivery of immunisation services, strategies implemented to maintain services, prioritisation of populations, and self-reported challenges and solutions initiated by providers. Results: A total of 850 people responded to the survey. Of these, the most common professional groups identified were pharmacists followed by nurse immunisers, nurses/midwives and general practitioners. Several changes were implemented including relocation of vaccination clinics, change to bookings rather than walk-in appointments, infection prevention measures, clients waiting in cars pre- and post-vaccination and reduced observation period post-vaccination. Conclusion: The pandemic has provided opportunities for services to trial new and innovative strategies such as electronic pre-assessment, electronic consent and drive-through vaccination services. Implications for public health: Immunisation providers mostly viewed these changes positively and intend to continue many post-pandemic. The experience gained from the trialling of these strategies may be adapted for vaccine delivery and National Immunisation Program vaccines beyond the pandemic.
KW - Australia
KW - COVID-19
KW - immunisation
KW - service
KW - vaccine
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85130625856&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/1753-6405.13260
DO - 10.1111/1753-6405.13260
M3 - Article
C2 - 35616400
AN - SCOPUS:85130625856
SN - 1753-6405
VL - 46
SP - 495
EP - 501
JO - Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
JF - Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
IS - 4
ER -