The new, high-level document mentions general practice just once across 50 pages.
Despite delivering around 60% of vaccinations in Australia, general practice barely scraped a mention in the updated National Immunisation Strategy released this week.
According to the most recent data from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, general practice is the most common setting for vaccinations in Australia by far; pharmacies deliver about 20%, local council clinics provide about 13% and community health services give about 6%.
The new national strategy, which was unveiled on Thursday, will see about $2.4 billion invested into vaccines, communication campaigns, immunisation registry administration and research over the next four years.
Its key priority areas are improving access for vulnerable populations, building trust and acceptance of immunisation in communities, using data more effectively, strengthening the immunisation workforce, harnessing new technologies and implementing sustainable reform.
The strategy document, which will direct public policy until 2030, noted “modest but significant” declines in vaccination coverage rates in Australia.
AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen said she was disappointed by the lack of general practice mentions, especially in relation to combatting vaccine hesitancy.
“When we are dealing with the issue of misinformation … general practitioners are the best placed to discuss any concerns with patients,” Dr McMullen said.
“One of the biggest parts of being a GP is remaining informed of your patients’ medical history, so they can easily provide trusted advice based on individual circumstances.
“We understand the implementation plan for this strategy is yet to be released, but we will be strongly advocating for further support and resources for GPs to continue playing this leading role.”
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Dr McMullen said the AMA would continue to call for increased investment in the workforce incentive program to better support multidisciplinary care teams, which can bolster immunisation services.
The phrase “general practice” only appears one time in the report, in the context of enabling immunisation providers to work to their full scope of practice.
“Strategies to safely enable health professionals to work to their full scope of practice should be considered,” the strategy read.
“Community pharmacies can improve access to vaccination and are an important delivery option, especially where access to general practice or other immunisation services is limited.
“Trained pharmacists could also better deliver a wider range of [National Immunisation Program] vaccines, if the scope of vaccines nationally were consistent, to help ensure equitable access.”
The section on vaccine hesitancy focussed on how to communicate better with the community.
Campaigns that are too information-heavy or that focus on debunking vaccination myths, the strategy said, were not always effective.
“A positive recommendation by a trusted health professional is one of the key factors in individual vaccination decisions,” the strategy read.
“Supporting immunisation providers to confidently discuss individuals’ concerns and recommend vaccination increases the motivation to vaccinate.”
