WHO World Immunisation Week 24 to 30 April 2022
Vaccinations help protect people of all ages against disease. Although the focus of late has been on COVID-19 vaccinations, protection has been provided against a multitude of disease for many years thanks to immunisation. World Immunisation Week 2022, running from 24 to 30 April, is driven by WHO and aims to highlight the importance of all vaccines and immunisations in the wider community in pursuit of a #LongLifeforAll.
‘WHO works with countries across the globe to raise awareness of the value of vaccines and immunization and ensures that governments obtain the necessary guidance and technical support to implement high-quality immunization programmes. The ultimate goal of World Immunization Week is for more people – and their communities – to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.’
World Immunization Week 2022 - World Health Organisation (external site)
Great work to promote community vaccination is undertaken at MHPHDS via the Humanitarian Entrant Health Service (HEHS) at the Anita Clayton Centre in the Perth CBD. HEHS provides a holistic health assessment service for all refugees and humanitarian entrants who are resettled in Western Australia under the Commonwealth Government’s Humanitarian Program and Special Humanitarian Program. HEHS works to overcome any barriers, be they linguistic, financial or cultural, to providing the required care for individuals via a nurse assessment and GP plan, including access to vaccinations. When clients arrive at HEHS they are rarely vaccinated to the Australian vaccine schedule requirements. All vaccines are available and provided according to the Australian schedule, however the most common across all ages are diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles mumps and rubella and hepatitis B vaccines. Each client’s immunisation status is assessed and a vaccination catch up program is commenced. All clients receive a copy of their immunisation record.
The health consent process in W.A is methodical and careful, ensuring all individuals are fully informed with trusted, up to date information. Unfortunately this positive, supporting environment has not been the previous experience for all those attending the HEHS clinics. One client entered the Wellington Street clinic anxious and immediately covered her arm, flinching, when approached to be greeted. In her host country vaccination was given ‘by surprise’ in clinics and she was prepared, ready to fend off any further stealth vaccinations given without consent. HEHS works to alleviate fears of this style of vaccination and care recurring and works to provide a safe, client centric experience for those who may not view the health services as one they can trust.
Further information on the Humanitarian Entrant Health Service and WHO World Immunisation week (external site) #LongLifeforAll
