Influences and policies that affect immunisation coverage - a summary review of literature

Date of publication

30

August

2019

Effective national immunisation programmes require a high proportion of the population to be immunised. Although New Zealand has made significant progress towards immunisation goals over the last two decades, immunisation coverage remains inadequate to prevent intermittent outbreaks of disease and immunisation inequities persist between geographic, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Here we summarise a recent literature review that was conducted to identify and examine key factors that influence immunisation coverage, timeliness of vaccinations and the core drivers that affect vaccine uptake.

We conclude that well designed systems, taking a holistic approach with multiple components, gain broader community acceptance and trust; early and continual engagement with well-informed healthcare professionals builds trust and improves uptake; the family’s experience during vaccination events is important; community-led vaccine advocacy is required to target specific populations to help to promote and improve access to immunisation. Coercive approaches can be marginally effective, but risk disproportionately penalising those already experiencing mistrust and hardship.

DOI number

Menu category

Health Professionals, Immunisation

Authors

Nowlan M, Willing E and Turner N

Publication

New Zealand Medical Journal 132(1501) 7982 30 August 2019

Type of research

Journal article

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