Abstract

Author(s)

Patrick Gould, Ken Murray, Liana Lapuz, Hamish Fibbins, Catherine O’Donnell, Philip Ward

Introduction

Mental health consumers face significant systemic barriers in accessing primary health services and have higher rates of hospitalisation and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases. This project codesigned and implemented a vaccination service for mental health consumers with the aim of promoting fair and equitable access to vaccinations.

Method: A co-design workshop was run with consumers and clinicians to ensure that the service would best meet the needs of those who accessed it, with decisions on the clinic model and processed being decided by the co-design group. From the co-design, a roving vaccine clinic was set up to provide immunisation coverage to two community mental health centres and six inpatient units within a metropolitan mental health service. Attendees of the co-design later attended the operating clinic to assist in ensuring the clinic was running in accordance with the co-design.

Results & Findings

Since the service began, 468 vaccines have been administered, including 343 COVID-19 vaccines, 120 influenza vaccines, and 5 other vaccines. Of the 522 consumers in the community mental health service, as of 5 December 2022, 80% have received at least 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, 78% have received at least 2 doses, 57% have received at least 3 doses, and 20% have received at least 4 doses.

Discussion

By providing targeted vaccination services to people who access mental health services, it is possible to improve vaccination rates, literacy and access and contribute to ensuring vaccine equity. Co-designing the service was vital in ensuring the service met the needs of those who will use the service. The project’s results and findings highlight the potential for this approach to be replicated in other contexts. The service is currently undergoing an expansion to two more sites and to include drug and alcohol services and will undergo further evaluation.