GP could be the key to rebuilding trust in immunisation, says the AMA.
Amidst falling immunisation rates, the AMA has renewed calls for general practice to remain at the core of Australia’s vaccination efforts.
Interim data from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance released last week revealed a drop in vaccination rates across numerous categories amongst younger demographics.
The levels of on-time childhood vaccination have now dropped below pre-pandemic levels.
“Looking at the number of influenza vaccinations as a proxy for vaccinations as a whole, we had a slight uptick this year compared to last year, but the number of vaccinations this year is still below 2023, or 2022,” RACGP expert Committee and Quality Care chair Professor Mark Morgan told The Medical Republic.
“The year is not over and we may need to see future years to know if the immunisation rate is increasing from a low in 2024, but overall, there’s been a decline since the pandemic started.”
The AMA has also released a new position statement on immunisation that reiterates the importance of reaching immunisation services via general practice, touting the trusted advice tailored to individual circumstances provided by GPs.
Bringing further reforms to MBS consultation item numbers to allow for longer consults was also suggested to help assist GPs in making immunisation care more efficient for both patient and practitioner.
“We do think that reforms to the Medicare items structure would make a difference here, but only for people who have questions about vaccination,” AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen told TMR.
“We’re seeing more people who are vaccine hesitant.
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“It’s not that they don’t want a vaccination, but they just have questions about how it works and the pros and cons, and really want the time with their GP to talk about that.”
Providing further support to practice nurses given their key role in providing vaccine care was also addressed.
“We’d like to see better support for our practice nurses, whether it’s through an increased WIP or other mechanisms to support our practice nurses being really key to delivering immunisation programmes,” Dr McMullen told TMR.
“Clearly the minister has Early Childhood Health front of mind, given some of his announcements and talks over the past few weeks.
“We’d love to see the reintroduction of rebates for early childhood checks, along with a fit for purpose Medicare item structure, and better supports for our practice nurses.
“All these solutions would help boost immunisation rates.”
An increase in GP visits to establish regularity has been backed by data from the OECD and Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care to boost patient trust in medicine.
“It was stark – 62% of patients who saw the same GP for most of their healthcare needs said they trust the healthcare system, compared to 43% of patients who did not,” Professor Morgan told TMR.
“But in both cases, patients seem to trust GPs more than the health system. Even among patients who don’t have a usual GP, 79% rated their care positively, versus 43% trust in the healthcare system.
“It’s vital everyone can see a GP, get those gentle reminders to have a flu or COVID shot, and if they have concerns, discuss them with a GP.”
