Grant opportunity to support proactive uptake of vaccinations for vulnerable populations

Grant opportunity to support proactive uptake of vaccinations for vulnerable populations

03 April, 2024

We would like to invite you to apply for a grant opportunity available to vaccinating community pharmacies in the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) region, Local Government areas within the catchment outlined below.

  • Banyule
  • Boroondara
  • Knox
  • Manningham
  • Maroondah
  • Mitchell
  • Monash
  • Murrindindi
  • Nillumbik
  • Whitehorse
  • Whittlesea
  • Yarra Ranges

EMPHN is providing funding to support vaccinating community pharmacies to participate in proactive engagement and activities that promote uptake of COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations over a 6-month period.

As part of the VVP program, EMPHN is looking to appoint a COVID-19 pharmacy vaccination ‘hub’ in each LGA in the EMPHN catchment, totaling 12 hubs.

The purpose of the program is to support community pharmacies (who are delivering COVID-19 vaccinations or have an established referral pathway for vaccinations) through funding and resources to engage with individuals from vulnerable groups. Successful grant recipients will receive $10,000 to conduct a 6-month intervention to establish a Community Pharmacy Vaccination Hub which aims to:

  • increase access to COVID-19 vaccines for vulnerable populations
  • provide support to vulnerable peoples to receive COVID-19 vaccinations including facilitating tailored approaches
  • develop and implement innovative COVID-19 vaccination activities to assist vulnerable individuals to enable easier access to COVID-19 vaccinations in their local area.

Key vulnerable populations have been identified as priority cohorts for this program. They include (but are not limited to):

  • those who are experiencing homelessness, including those living on the streets, in emergency accommodation, boarding houses or between temporary shelters;
  • those who do not have a Medicare card or are not eligible for Medicare;
  • people with a disability;
  • people are frail and cannot leave home;
  • First Nations Peoples;
  • culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse people, especially asylum seekers and refugees and those in older age groups who may find it difficult to use other vaccination services;
  • children aged 5-11 who have complex needs, who are not captured by another suitable vaccination channel;
  • homebound individuals [1];
  • people living in Residential Aged Care and;
  • any other vulnerable groups identified as requiring dedicated support to access vaccinations.

Grant opened 3 April 2024 

Grant closes 2pm 17 April 2024

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[1] 2024 updated guidelines on homebound individuals

In Scope:
• people with an injury, chronic health issue, or frailty affecting mobility;
• people with moderate to severe physical or psychosocial disability (this could include people with a social anxiety that cannot leave their home);
• people with moderate to severe mental health or behavioral issues not otherwise classified as a psychosocial disability; and
• Person resides in single in-dwelling setting and is confined to the home (not residential aged care facility or residential disability facility).

Out of Scope:
• In-home vaccinations will only be provided where an individual is unable to attend a vaccine provider. There must be a genuine need, not just convenience.