Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
New South Wales Public Health Bulletin New South Wales Public Health Bulletin Society
Supporting public health practice in New South Wales
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Evaluation of a targeted immunisation program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants in an urban setting

Paul Thomas A , Telphia L. Joseph B and Robert I. Menzies B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre for Public Health, Sydney West Area Health Service

B National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead

C Corresponding author. Email: RobertM3@chw.edu.au

NSW Public Health Bulletin 19(6) 96-99 https://doi.org/10.1071/NB07055
Published: 26 June 2008

Abstract

A conjugate pneumococcal vaccination program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in an urban setting initially achieved poor uptake. A targeted intervention was developed to raise awareness among hospital staff, in general practice and in parents of eligible children. An evaluation of the intervention found moderate levels of increased awareness, use of promotional materials and an increase in vaccination. However, significant structural barriers remained.


References


[1] National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian Immunisation Handbook, 8th edn. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, 2003.

[2] Roche P,  Krause V,  Andrews R,  Carter L,  Coleman D,  Cook H, et al. Invasive pneumococcal disease in Australia, 2002. Commun Dis Intell 2003; 27 466–77.
PubMed |

[3] NSW Department of Health Quarterly report: Australian Childhood Immunisation Register. N S W Public Health Bull 2005; 16(11–12): 205–211.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

[4] Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The Health and Welfare of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, 2005. Report No. 4704.0. Canberra: 2005.

[5] Hull BP,  McIntyre PB. What do we know about 7vPCV coverage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children? Commun Dis Intell 2004; 28 238–43.
PubMed |

[6] Menzies R,  McIntyre P,  Beard F. Vaccine preventable diseases and vaccination coverage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Australia, 1999 to 2002. Commun Dis Intell 2004; 28


[7] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Improving the quality of Indigenous identification in hospital separations data. AIHW Cat no. HSE 101. Canberra: AIHW: 2005.

[8] NSW Health Department 1999. Aboriginal Health Strategic Plan. State Health Publication No (AH) 990151.

[9] NSW Health Department 2000. Better Practice Guidelines to improve the Level of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identification in the NSW Public Health System. State Health Publication No (CSP) 980163.