In 2023 South Sefton Primary Care Network undertook a pilot project comprising of several distinct components including, locum immunisation nurses making telephone contact with families of under-vaccinated children, discussing any issues or concerns with them and inviting them to an appointment.
Appointments were offered at a range of times and across a range of different venues, and in some cases included the offer of a home visit where personal circumstances prevented families from being able to attend a clinic appointment.
Some parents were embarrassed that they had missed previous childhood vaccination appointments or had been influenced by misinformation. Others hadn’t realised that their children’s vaccinations were due. Initial telephone contact provided an opportunity for parents and carers to talk through any concerns they had and for practice nurses to provide information about the vaccination programme.
The pilot project included work on a bespoke childhood vaccination information page for South Sefton Primary Care Network and how this resource was being made available in a number of other languages for families who do not have English as a first language.
What was the outcome?
This was a small pilot project, but those who received the calls, valued the opportunity to speak to a health professional, and it demonstrated the value of providing expert advice and support to families around vaccinations
“I had been put off getting my baby boy’s needles done. At the time he should have got them he was ill. Then I got anxious with Covid and stuff online and he would be getting them at the wrong time when he was older.
I got the call from the nurse she reached out to me. I couldn’t believe how welcoming the nurse was. She completely reassured me and walked me through everything. She was friendly and reassuring. It was probably the best experience with a healthcare professional I’d had. I had to stop and tell her how pleased I was. I was blown away. After he got his needles done, I told my sister, you need to get yours booked in. I wanted to recommend them to everyone.”
What have we learnt?
Due to the time constraints of the 2023 project, only a small number of vaccinations were given. However, a second pilot project took place in 2024 building on the experience and learning from the previous project which was able to provide over 477 additional child vaccinations, including 133 MMR, immunising 222 children during late spring and summer.
Parents and carers valued the opportunity to discuss the programme with a health professional and this helped to tackle some of the misinformation available on social media that can influence decision making. It was also important that the immunisation offer was able to flex according to the needs of the family.
What next?
This approach has proven to be an effective way to engage with parents and carers and to increase the uptake of childhood immunisations. It is important to look at future funding and resource options as whilst this requires investment of nursing time, it provides a mechanism to support parents and carers who might not otherwise take-up the childhood immunisation offer.
