Creating safe, inclusive accessible environment for vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccination is an essential part of the public health response to provide protection from serious illness and death - from COVID-19 infection.

Community transmission is slowing in Victoria, but COVID-19 continues to be a part of our lives. 

Despite the extensive roll-out through hubs, general practices and pharmacies, some members of our community still face significant challenges in accessing vaccines.   

Vulnerable and hard to reach populations can have limited access to primary care and consequently vaccines. Additionally, misinformation about vaccines is also common among some communities.   

These are people who cannot safely or comfortably leave their place of residence because of disability, frailty, or mental health challenges. Collectively, they comprise one of the most vulnerable population cohorts in our community. 

The purpose of the funding is to address any social, cultural, physical or hesitancy barriers that may be preventing vulnerable groups from accessing the COVID-19 vaccination by supporting general practices (who are delivering COVID-19 vaccinations or have an established referral pathway for vaccinations) to engage with individuals from these groups. 

Primary Health Networks work to ensure all Australians, regardless of their postcode, have access to health and wellbeing services that are effective and integrated across primary, acute and aged care. 

At SEMPHN we want everyone in our community to be able to access the right care, in the right place, at the right time. 

This year, The Cove Family Medical Centre improved access to COVID-19 vaccination to a range of populations and groups, including: 

• People who are homebound 
• Aged Care residents, and other 
• Vulnerable communities. 

How does the Vulnerable Peoples Homebound Vaccination Program work? 

The homebound may include but are not limited to the frail aged and elderly, and people living with a disability or a mental health condition which prevents them from leaving their home. 

The Vulnerable Peoples Homebound Vaccination program utilises general practice teams of GPs, practice nurses and administration personnel to deliver COVID vaccinations at in-reach home visits for vulnerable people at a place that best suits them, including private dwellings. 

The program has been extended until 31 December 2024. 

Until then, SEMPHN continues to accept referrals from GPs and other healthcare providers within the catchment, to vaccinate people who meet the homebound eligibility criteria and are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in line with the latest Australian Technical Advisory Group (ATAGI) advice. 

Once a referral has been received, a vaccination provider in our catchment contacts the homebound person (or nominated contact person) to schedule a time for the in-reach home visit. https://www.semphn.org.au/covid-19 

The Cove Family Medical Centre in Patterson Lakes 

One of the three homebound primary care vaccine providers that SEMPHN engaged with this year was The Cove Family Medical Centre in Patterson Lakes.

As an outstanding provider for the Vulnerable Peoples Homebound Vaccination Program the Cove Family Medical Centre provided at-home COVID-19 vaccinations for people who are confined to or unable to leave home due to injury, moderate to severe physical or psychosocial disability, chronic health issues or frailty affecting mobility, severe mental health or behavioral issues. 

The team followed up with patients when they were due for their next booster to ensure ongoing protection for some of our catchments most vulnerable, for people who are unable to leave the home. 

A tailored and proactive approach for our elderly 

SEMPHN links up Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs) with primary care vaccination providers. 

The Cove Family Medical Centre was an instrumental provider in ensuring residents of these homes have timely access to vaccinations, willing to travel across SEMPHN’s entire catchment for any number of residents to ensure those most at risk for severe disease are covered. 

This tailored approach and proactive engagement promoted the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines for protection from serious illness and death from COVID-19 infection.  

By meeting people where they were, this activity reduced inequity by ensuring community members can access COVID-19 vaccines regardless of barriers, such as being unable to leave their home. 

The results

Pop-up clinics for COVID-19 vaccinations 

Pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics help to boost vaccination rates and provide protection from the virus. The clinics offer convenient access to vaccines and give people the chance to ask questions and feel at ease before.