Vaccination in Australia: Strategies and Implications for Future Research

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Vaccination in Australia
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Vaccination in Australia
Introduction
Preventive healthcare comprises of a set of measures that are undertaken to prevent the
occurrence of an illness. Disease and disability consists of a variety of mental and physical states
that are affected by disease agents, environmental factors, lifestyle choices and genetic
predisposition (Luo, Cook, Wu and Wilson, 2017). The prevention of illnesses thus depends on
anticipatory actions that could be classified as primary, secondary or tertiary preventive
measures. Preventive care is increasingly becoming an area of much interest within the
healthcare sector. Vaccination is currently on of the most effective public health disease
prevention initiatives (Barret et al. 2016). The latter involves the use of various methods to
prevent illnesses, educate populations and promote health (Hawk and Evans, 2013). There has
been low coverage of vaccination programs among the low-income Australian as compared to
the higher earning individuals.
Discussion
Vaccination is one of the main preventive strategies used to control the transmission of
communicable diseases (Barett, Bolan, Dawson, Ortmann, Resi and Saenz, 2016). The latter has
reduced the world mortality and morbidity rates associated with infectious diseases, protecting
up to 2.5 million lives annually according to the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics
(Link, 2017). Some vaccines confer herd immunity by protecting both the vaccinated individuals
and their close contacts. There are hypodermic needles of various sizes, lengths and gauges that
are used to administer vaccines. The bigger the gauge number, the smaller the needle diameter.
For instance, 0.5 mm diameter needle is gauge 25 while 0.6 mm needle is gauge 26 (Luo, Cook,

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Wu and Wilson, 2014). For infants and children between the ages of 2 months and 2 years of
age, needle types used for vaccination are 23 to 25 G and 25 mm in length.
The vaccines are usually administered intramuscularly, intradermallly, subcutaneously
and orally. The proper sires for pediatric vaccine injection are the anterolateral aspect of the
thigh muscle, intradermal part of the forearm, deltoid muscle of the arm, and orally (Link, 2014).
Some of the comfort measures that are used for pediatric children after vaccination include
applying cold packs on the injection sites, administering Paracetamol syrup 2.5 ml 8 hourly for
fever relief, distraction techniques and breastfeeding. The parents should be advised to hold or
apply pressure at the injection sites.
Vaccine Information Sheets (VISs) are sheets that are were produced by the CDC to
explain the benefits and risks of each vaccine to the recipients. Unfortunately, there exist no
vaccine records, so such records are often found at the clinics and doctor’s office (Link, 2014).
At birth, the child is usually given oral polio vaccine and BCG, while at two months a child is
vaccinated with oral polio vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine 2nd dose, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis
(DPT), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), and Pneumococcal vaccine. At 2 years a child
should be provided with vitamin A supplement.
Child vaccination Issues
Most of the children from developing countries encounter death from diseases that could
get stopped through vaccination (Blume, 2017). Despite the efforts of the government to
introduce immunization programs, several factors have contributed to barriers to successful
immunization. Among the hindrances that have led to increased deaths among children include
low income, lack of education, and lack of access to adequate healthcare knowledge. The
situations have led to increased numbers of unvaccinated children. Based on the research

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analysis the best solution towards introducing vaccination in low and middle‐income countries is
using evidence-based discussions with community members.
The strategies guarantee creation of acceptable awareness about the significance of
vaccination to children (Duckett and Willcox, 2015). The strategy has better results compared to
health education. Alternative measures such as community meetings may act as an intervention
measure to the problem. However, the strategy is costly and expensive. Another solution is
adopting homecare health visits combined with regular immunization (Barett, Bolan, Dawson,
Ortmann, Resi and Saenz, 2016). The outreach immunization plan is an effective solution but not
enough data to access cost implications. The above solutions guarantee smaller impacts in
promoting vaccination however they are easy to manage and sustain for long periods. Using
incentives as motivation to accept vaccination has little or no significant influence. For example,
monetary incentives do not encourage immunization especially when other barriers exist.
Summary of Findings in Cochrane Review
The most effective strategies leading towards increasing number vaccinations on children
include the provision of community-oriented health education (Blume, 2017). The criteria for
creating awareness include the use of mass healthcare campaigns and facility‐based health
education. Parents, society, and other community members should have clear and concise
information about immunization through initiating health education. Various facilities such as
reminding communities concerning immunization are among the strategies that guarantee
effective responses to prevention care. Use of immunization reminding card and regular outreach
immunizations are among the strategies that should be adopted (Willis et al. 2012). Other
strategies that could improve the rate of childhood immunization include the use of healthcare