Ilam Medical Centre’s Success with Immunisation Recall
Ilam Medical Centre has achieved strong results in improving immunisation rates, particularly with the Bexsero vaccine for Meningococcal B. Bexsero, part of the National Immunisation Schedule for infants, is also funded for children up to five years of age until August 2025 to increase coverage.
The centre implemented a targeted recall programme to reach eligible families. This included mass emails, patient portal messages, and incorporating vaccine promotion into regular childhood health checks. Over time, they found text messaging and phone calls to be most effective in encouraging parents to book appointments.
To address vaccine hesitancy, Ilam Medical Centre collaborated with Pegasus Health Immunisation Coordination Team Lead, Rachael Prestidge, to provide training for nurses.
“Our nurses were struggling with the increase in difficult conversations around vaccine hesitancy, so we reached out to Rachael to help them build confidence in having these conversations,” Ilam Medical Centre Lead Nurse, Kate Boys said.
The practice dedicates time for immunisation recalls, assigning a specific nurse to manage the process. Having a dedicated immunisation nurse has proven invaluable.
"This role is not only a resource for parents but also for other staff, including our doctors," Kate said. "It ensures consistency and reliability in our immunisation efforts."
Understanding the challenges parents face, the team offered flexible scheduling, allowed families to bring siblings along if needed, and provided additional support through a support worker for those with transport or logistical issues.
A proactive approach to recalls and a strong focus on patient engagement have helped Ilam Medical Centre achieve high vaccination rates, including for Bexsero. By tailoring their strategies to meet the needs of their community, the practice has made immunisation more accessible and supported families in protecting their children’s health.
Hints and Tips for Effective Immunisation Recall
- Tailor Communication Channels Use text messages or phone calls for a personal touch and higher response rates. Supplement with mass emails or portal messages for initial outreach.
- Train Your Team Invest in training for nurses to navigate vaccine-hesitant conversations effectively. Ensure all staff are informed about the vaccine schedule and eligibility criteria.
- Have an Immunisation Champion A dedicated nurse streamlines recall processes and serves as a go-to resource for both staff and patients.
- Be Flexible with Appointments Offer times that suit busy families, and consider including siblings in the appointment.
- Overcome Barriers Identify barriers like transport and provide support through community resources or support workers.
- Include Proactive Messaging Encourage parents to prepare for appointments, such as administering paracetamol beforehand, to reduce post-vaccine discomfort.
- Leverage Technology Use your patient management system to identify eligible patients and schedule recalls systematically.
- Be Persistent Follow up with families who miss appointments and offer tailored support to help them attend.
- Learn from Feedback Regularly evaluate your recall strategy and adapt to what works best for your community.
