The MGPN General Practice Immunisation Incentive Program is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing to support general practice and other immunisation providers to increase immunisations rates, improve effectiveness of vaccinations and facilitate the implementation of systems to improve the collection of data. Strategies employed by MGPN to achieve these goals include:
Individual practice visits to review and discuss immunisation schedules, cold chain issues, data cleansing, electronic transfer of data, and recall and reminders;
Monitoring of practice childhood immunisation rates by age cohorts;
Promotion and support of annual immunisation information sessions delivered by the Centre for Public Health;
Distribution of immunisation related resources;
Development and implementation of age specific strategies to improve immunisation rates for target groups;
Useful resources can be accessed from the Immunise Australia Program Website including:
- the National Immunisation Program Schedule;
- the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register;
- the General Practice Immunisation Incentive Scheme;
- the National HPV Vaccine Register; and
- the Australian National Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition (2008)
Click here for the NSW Health weekly communicable diseases report
Turning Four Dinosaur Initiative
Identified as an under-immunised group within the Murrumbidgee community, the four year old cohort has been the target of a media and practice campaign led by the Murrumbidgee Division of General Practice. The colourful Immunisation Dinosaur was designed by the Division’s Administration Assistant, Donna Ryan to appeal to preschool children. Dinosaur magnets measuring 140x160mm were initially distributed to preschools, playgroups and day care centres in 2006, targeting children starting school.
Recently the focus has shifted to targeting children as they turn four years old. With the immunisation Dinosaur a recognisable and common feature on many refrigerators across the region, MGPN followed up with the development of a Turning Four Dinosaur birthday card launched in November 2007. The card features the Turning Four Dinosaur on the front cover. Information for parents and carers regarding the importance of vaccinations and where to obtain further information is located on the inside cover. The current NSW immunisation schedule is printed on the back cover. As the A5 birthday card is designed to be distributed with four year old immunisation recall letters sent from the practice, our project officer Ros Vaseo took the opportunity to visit each practice to launch the initiative. During the visit, Ros reviewed individual practice immunisation rates and recall and reminder systems with practice nurses and staff. This allowed Ros to provided tailored advice regarding potential system improvements suited to the practice environment. Annual campaigns have been supported by the media with our population health coordinator, Erin Wright participating in local radio and newspaper interviews to promote the initiative. The Division has taken advantage of Immunisation Media releases to keep childhood immunisation in the spotlight.
Click here to download the full birthday card in pdf format.
