The team at Grove Medical in Victoria Park has immunised 25 percent of eligible patients with the free Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination within twelve business days of it being made available.
The WA Department of Health recently introduced a free RSV immunisation program for eligible infants and babies for the 2024 winter season, delivered through participating birth hospitals, general practices, Aboriginal Medical Services and Community Health Immunisation Clinics.
Grove Medical has used a range of communications channels to raise awareness of immunisation availability and the important role it can play in protecting babies from RSV, including:
- Feature article in Grove Medical patient newsletters.
- Convenient SMS booking link sent to parents and guardians of eligible patients once stock became available.
- Social media campaign to educate patients on why this immunisation is so important and who is eligible.
- Key information in the waiting room for patients to read.
Grove Medical owner Dr Mary-Therese Wyatt said this campaign has been particularly effective due to word of mouth within the community.
“We’ve had parents who have seen our social media posts or newsletters and have spoken to their friends and parent groups about it, encouraging them to immunise their babies.
“Parents aren’t necessarily aware of how important this immunisation is. If they have never seen a child with RSV, it is difficult to understand the impact it can have on their child. One dose of nirsevimab protects babies for at least five months, which is the length of an average RSV season.
“We have found it has worked to assume zero knowledge and start from the beginning and will continue to ramp up our patient education until we have reached everyone.”
Find out more about RSV immunisation or download WA Health’s campaign social media tiles and posters.