The NSW Government is boosting awareness of and access to vaccinations for priority populations to build healthier communities across the state.
This includes people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and people with chronic illnesses who are more likely to develop severe disease.
The $15 million vaccination initiative will focus on improving vaccination rates for target groups which have been identified as having low vaccination coverage or facing barriers to vaccination.
Evidence of differences in vaccination rates across community groups was obtained from the Australian Immunisation Register and the Australian Bureau of Statistics Multi-Agency Data Integration Project.
The program will aim to improve uptake of a range of vaccines, including influenza, shingles and pneumococcal vaccination for eligible cohorts.
The investment will fund more NSW Health staff to administer vaccines, and training for existing NSW Health clinical services staff, as well as health promotion, education and community engagement activities.
A community grants program will engage local community leaders and champions to raise awareness of the importance and effectiveness of vaccination, and identify barriers to accessing vaccination.
The vaccine champions will work closely with local health districts to increase knowledge and understanding of vaccination and how to access immunisation services.
This investment delivers on the NSW Government’s plan to rebuild essential services that people of NSW rely on.
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park
“Funding to increase vaccination access and uptake across the state will support better health and wellbeing outcomes for some of our priority population groups, including high risk and hard to reach cohorts.
“The NSW Government is committed to improving vaccination rates and equity in knowledge, access, and uptake across the state to maximise the benefits of vaccination for everyone.
“Vaccination is safe and effective. It is the best way to protect ourselves and the broader community from serious illness and hospitalisation from a range of diseases.”
