Role of the nurse immuniser in implementing and maintaining the National Human Papillomavirus ‘Cervical Cancer’ vaccine rollout through a school-based program in Victoria
Helen Kent A , Margaret E. Heffernan B F , Julie Silvers C , Elya Moore A D and Suzanne M. Garland A E DA Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Carlton, Vic. 3053, Australia.
B School of Management, RMIT University, Level 16, 239 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia.
C Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, 580 Swanston Street, Carlton, Vic. 3053, Australia.
D Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.
E Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: margaret.heffernan@rmit.edu.au
Sexual Health 7(3) 391-393 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH09148
Submitted: 18 December 2009 Accepted: 13 April 2010 Published: 19 August 2010
Abstract
In an effort to understand the strengths and limitations of current approaches to human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) delivery in schools, we conducted an audit of nurse immunisers (NI). In this survey of 159 Victorian NI, the NI perceived that knowledge, safety and side effects were among the most important issues raised by parents, schoolgirls, and teachers in the school setting. The most common concern identified by NIs was the physical layout of the vaccination setting (41%), followed by safety, then knowledge of the vaccine. There is a need for ongoing assessment of factors that improve or impede the delivery of HPV vaccines.
Additional keywords: safety concerns, vaccine knowledge, vaccination setting.
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