Immunisation Outreach Service

This service was established  as a pilot in 2003, has gained significant momentum over the last five years and has recently been rolled over for a further two years.  The primary objective for the providers of Outreach Immunisation Services is to improve childhood immunisation rates amongst Māori, Pacific and other priority groups with high rates of vaccine preventable disease and low rates of immunisation.

The Outreach Immunisation Services enhances existing first level services. It has built on and enhanced the capacity of current well child and primary care providers to provide immunisation in a range of contexts, including the home. This is done with rigorous attention to best practice and safety guidelines. The service resources one FTE Outreach Immunisation Coordinator (RN) and two kai awhina trained in resuscitation  techniques who provide links into Māori communities and support with transport and outreach vaccinations. Numerous outreach opportunities have been provided for vaccination, including home vaccination, in GP practices and latterly negotiation with Plunket has allowed for immunisations to be provided when local Plunket rooms are open and Plunket clinics are being run.

The service continues to target those children 0-5 years old who have fallen behind with scheduled vaccinations, and referrals average 150-170 per quarter.There have been a total of 1275 immunisations completed over the term of the contract, all of these successful immunisations occurring in under-serviced groups, and often after significant efforts tracing and following up referrals form GPs and practice nurses. A strong objective of the service is to link families back into the care of their primary health provider.

Primary health / practice nurses have attended relevant training in vaccination to achieve the aim of an accredited workforce, supervision has been provided by the Outreach Facilitator. Opportunities for public awareness and education have been provided at every opportunity.