Immunisation for refugees in Australia: a policy review and analysis across all States and Territories.

Mahimbo, A; Seale, H; Heywood, AE

Immunisation for refugees in Australia: a policy review and analysis across all States and Territories.

Mahimbo, A

Seale, H Heywood, AE

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Publisher:: WILEY
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Aust N Z J Public Health, 2017, 41, (6), pp. 635-640
Issue Date:: 2017-12

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Mahimbo, A https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2058-6881
dc.contributor.author	Seale, H
dc.contributor.author	Heywood, AE
dc.date.accessioned	2022-04-19T02:03:13Z
dc.date.available	2017-06-01
dc.date.available	2022-04-19T02:03:13Z
dc.date.issued	2017-12
dc.identifier.citation	Aust N Z J Public Health, 2017, 41, (6), pp. 635-640
dc.identifier.issn	1326-0200
dc.identifier.issn	1753-6405
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/156402
dc.description.abstract	OBJECTIVE: Although people of refugee background are likely to be under-immunised before and after resettlement, no study to date has evaluated refugee specific immunisation policies in Australia. We developed a framework to analyse immunisation policies across Australia to highlight the strengths and gaps so as to inform development of more effective refugee specific immunisation policies. METHODS: We sourced publicly available immunisation policy documents from state and territory government websites. Content analysis of seven policy documents was undertaken using a developed framework comprising crucial policy determinants. RESULTS: Immunisation policy differed substantially across the jurisdictions. While most policies did not highlight the importance of data collection on immunisation for refugees and the public funding of vaccines for refugees, policy determinants such as accessibility and obligations were fulfilled by most jurisdictions. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate stark differences in immunisation policy for people of refugee background across Australia. Highlighted gaps demonstrate the need to revise current policies so that they are aligned with their intended outcome of enhancing uptake of vaccines and improving immunisation coverage among resettled refugees in Australia. Implications for public health: Immunisation policy development for refugees needs to be robust enough to ensure equitable health services to this group.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	WILEY
dc.relation.ispartof	Aust N Z J Public Health
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/1753-6405.12710
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1117 Public Health and Health Services, 1402 Applied Economics, 1605 Policy and Administration
dc.subject.classification	Public Health
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Emigration and Immigration
dc.subject.mesh	Health Policy
dc.subject.mesh	Health Services Accessibility
dc.subject.mesh	Health Services Needs and Demand
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Immunization
dc.subject.mesh	Public Health
dc.subject.mesh	Public Policy
dc.subject.mesh	Refugees
dc.subject.mesh	Vaccination
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Immunization
dc.subject.mesh	Vaccination
dc.subject.mesh	Public Health
dc.subject.mesh	Emigration and Immigration
dc.subject.mesh	Public Policy
dc.subject.mesh	Health Policy
dc.subject.mesh	Refugees
dc.subject.mesh	Health Services Needs and Demand
dc.subject.mesh	Health Services Accessibility
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.title	Immunisation for refugees in Australia: a policy review and analysis across all States and Territories.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	41
utslib.location.activity	Australia
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
utslib.for	1402 Applied Economics
utslib.for	1605 Policy and Administration
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-04-19T02:03:11Z
pubs.issue	6
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	41
utslib.citation.issue	6

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Although people of refugee background are likely to be under-immunised before and after resettlement, no study to date has evaluated refugee specific immunisation policies in Australia. We developed a framework to analyse immunisation policies across Australia to highlight the strengths and gaps so as to inform development of more effective refugee specific immunisation policies. METHODS: We sourced publicly available immunisation policy documents from state and territory government websites. Content analysis of seven policy documents was undertaken using a developed framework comprising crucial policy determinants. RESULTS: Immunisation policy differed substantially across the jurisdictions. While most policies did not highlight the importance of data collection on immunisation for refugees and the public funding of vaccines for refugees, policy determinants such as accessibility and obligations were fulfilled by most jurisdictions. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate stark differences in immunisation policy for people of refugee background across Australia. Highlighted gaps demonstrate the need to revise current policies so that they are aligned with their intended outcome of enhancing uptake of vaccines and improving immunisation coverage among resettled refugees in Australia. Implications for public health: Immunisation policy development for refugees needs to be robust enough to ensure equitable health services to this group.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/156402