Australian Journal of Primary Health
Volume 24, Issue 6, 2018, Pages 480-490

Catching up with catch-up: A policy analysis of immunisation for refugees and asylum seekers in Victoria (Article)

Paxton G.A.* , Spink P.C.G. , Danchin M.H. , Tyrrell L. , Taylor C.L. , Casey S. , Graham H.R.
  • a Royal Children's Hospital, General Medicine, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
  • b Victorian Refugee Health Network, 4 Gardiner Street, Brunswick, VIC 3056, Australia
  • c Royal Children's Hospital, General Medicine, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
  • d Victorian Refugee Health Network, 4 Gardiner Street, Brunswick, VIC 3056, Australia
  • e Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
  • f Victorian Refugee Health Network, 4 Gardiner Street, Brunswick, VIC 3056, Australia
  • g Royal Children's Hospital, General Medicine, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia

Abstract

This study examines catch-up immunisation for people of refugee-like background in Victoria, exploring effective models of service delivery to complete catch-up vaccinations. The analysis is based on: (i) review of the medical literature, Commonwealth and Victorian government immunisation policy and immunisation patient information (ii) review of vaccination coverage and service delivery data and (iii) stakeholder interviews completed in 2014 with 45 people from 34 agencies, including 9 local government areas in Victoria. Although refugees and asylum seekers all need catch-up vaccinations on arrival, they face significant barriers to completing immunisation in Australia. Analysis suggests missed opportunities by service providers and perceptions that catch-up vaccination is time-consuming, difficult and resource-intensive. Service delivery is fragmented across primary care and local government, and pathways depend on age, location and healthcare access. There are strengths, but also limitations in all current service delivery models. Gaps in vaccine funding for refugee-like populations have now been addressed through Commonwealth initiatives, however migration is still not well considered in immunisation policy, and existing systems for notification payments do not capture catch-up vaccination for these groups. Providers identify areas for improvement in professional development and support, patient information, patient-held records and immunisation surveillance data. © 2018 La Trobe University.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

primary medical care refugee management health care policy human Refugees controlled study Victoria funding catch up immunization asylum seeker Humans geography Adolescent Infant, Newborn male preschool child female Infant Child, Preschool newborn Article legislation and jurisprudence migration health care access age government Health Policy immunization policy making Health Services Accessibility health care delivery Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85055500913&doi=10.1071%2fPY17049&partnerID=40&md5=9505dba8d9cf20e8a1dbbfeea1920545
DOI: 10.1071/PY17049
ISSN: 14487527
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English