Grants for practice nurses who champion immunisation

Grants are being offered to practice nurses committed to supporting immunisation initiatives.

As a part of its ongoing commitment to public health and protecting adults from vaccine preventable diseases, Seqirus Australia has announced its 2018–2019 ‘Championing Change’ Innovation Practice Nurse Grants.

The Innovation Grants recognise practice nurses’ contributions to public health by supporting the implementation of innovative adult immunisation initiatives designed to boost coverage rates or improve the quality use of adult vaccines.

It is well recognised that “immunisation providers play an important role in promoting vaccination during adulthood and should seize every opportunity to identify and offer vaccination to eligible individuals”.¹

Magali De Castro, Championing Change Review Panellist, Accredited Nurse Immuniser, Clinical Director, HotDoc and CEO of GPS Nursing, Melbourne, is encouraging Australian practice nurses to apply for the inaugural Innovation Grants, to have their contribution to protecting the community against vaccine-preventable diseases recognised through the implementation of their innovative ideas.

“Practice nurses play a key role in improving community immunisation rates. However, they are the often the ‘unsung heroes’ who champion for change,” said De Castro.

“The Championing Change Innovation Grants are a great step in recognising and supporting the invaluable work performed by practice nurses Australia-wide.”

Three Innovation Grants to the value of $5000 each, commemorative certificates and sponsorship to attend the 2019 Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) National Conference, including travel, accommodation and registration, will be provided to three successful grant recipients, as selected by the independent expert review panel.

Practice nurses working in a GP setting who drive or support patient awareness, and/or timely uptake of and/or compliance with adult vaccines listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule are eligible to apply for the ‘Championing Change’ Innovation Practice Nurse Grants for their healthcare practice.

To qualify, each applicant will be required to submit a document outlining their planned innovative initiative which must be rolled out between 1 August and 31 December 2018 and meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Improve coverage, access and/or timely delivery of adult vaccinations as per the NIP.
• Be adaptable and able to be replicated by other primary health care nurses in GP practices in Australia.
• Support the ongoing record keeping of vaccinations on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) in clinical practice.
• Support the quality use of adult vaccines.
   

An independent Review Panel comprising three leading representatives from the nursing, immunisation and medical sector, including De Castro, will assess all entries. The two other panellists include:

• Angela Newbound, Registered Nurse and Coordinator, South Australia Primary Health Network (PHN) Immunisation Hub, Adelaide.
• Dr Sarah Chu, GP and Fellow, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Brisbane.
   

Submissions close at 5 pm AEST on Friday, 22 June 2018. Announcement of the Innovation Grant recipients will be issued on Friday, 6 July 2018. The recipients will be required to present their initiative to Seqirus between 11 and 13 July 2018.

To apply, applicants must simply:

• Register on the Community Immunity website — www.communityimmunity.com.au.
• Upload their application to the site by 5 pm AEST on Friday, 22 June 2018.
   

To learn more about the Championing Change Innovation Practice Nurse Grants, the application process, and terms and conditions, head to www.communityimmunity.com.au/championing-change.

Reference

1. NCIRS Vaccines for Australian Adults: Information for Immunisation Providers. http://www.ncirs.edu.au/assets/provider_resources/fact-sheets/adult-vaccination-fact-sheet.pdf, accessed February 2018.