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Funding pharmacist-delivered vaccination of pregnant women: effect on uptake

Year:
2016
Duration:
18 months
Approved budget:
$105,292.00
Researchers:
Dr Natalie Gauld
Health issue:
Infectious disease
Proposal type:
Health Delivery Research Partnership Project
Lay summary
Pertussis causes hospitalisations, fatalities and disability in infants, particularly affecting children from deprived households, or of Maori or Pacific ethnicity. Influenza in pregnancy is associated with adverse foetal and maternal outcomes. Funded pertussis and influenza vaccines during pregnancy provide protection, but coverage is sub-optimal (~20% for pertussis and ~50% for influenza). Community pharmacy vaccine delivery could increase awareness and access, and hence improve uptake, but evidence is sparse. We will determine whether funding and promoting pharmacy delivery of vaccines in pregnancy improves uptake, overall and in vulnerable groups, and how to optimise this service. A mixed-methods approach will be used. We will compare vaccine uptake in three similar DHB regions, an intervention region (Waikato, with pharmacist-funded vaccination), and two control regions (without pharmacist-funding). We will explore consumers’ and health professionals’ experiences, views, and barriers and enablers to uptake. This research will inform health service policy and funding in NZ and overseas.