The contribution of rural primary health care to the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination program
Kate McIntosh A and Nerida Hyett
A B C *
A Murray PHN (Primary Health Network), 3–5 View Point, Bendigo, Vic. 3550, Australia.
B La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Vic. 3550, Australia.
C School of Rural Health, Monash University, Bendigo, Vic. 3550, Australia.
Australian Health Review 47(4) 502-508 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH23044
Submitted: 1 March 2023 Accepted: 2 June 2023 Published: 11 July 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY).
Abstract
Objective The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination response in primary health care provides important learnings for strengthening health systems and preparing for surge response. The aim of this study was to examine the contributions of service providers to the COVID-19 vaccination program in Victoria, Australia, to gain insight into the role of primary health care during surge response and determine if this differs with rurality.
Methods A descriptive quantitative study design using existing COVID-19 vaccination data extracted from the Australian Immunisation Record via the Department of Health and Aged Care, Health Data Portal, de-identified for primary health networks, was used. Vaccination administrations were categorised by provider type for the first year of the Australian COVID-19 vaccination program in Victoria, Australia from February 2021 to December 2021. Descriptive analyses describe the total and proportional vaccinations administered by provider type and patient rurality.
Results Overall, primary care providers delivered half (50.58%) of total vaccinations for the population, and the number and proportion of vaccinations increased with patient rurality. The largest difference was observed in remote communities where 70.15% of COVID-19 vaccinations were administered by primary care providers. Primary care providers administered fewer COVID-19 vaccines in regional centres at 42.70%, compared to 46.45% administered by state government (and 10.85% administered by other).
Conclusion The contribution of primary health care to the COVID-19 vaccine program highlights the importance of rural primary care providers and settings, primarily general practice, to the delivery of population health interventions in rural communities especially during times of crisis.
Keywords: COVID-19, general practice, pandemic, pharmacy, public health, primary health care, rural health, service delivery, workforce.
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