Tips to increase workplace vaccinations

PLAN

• Ensure multiple levels of staff are involved in planning
• Measure current vaccination rates and set a target number you would like to achieve
• Use some identities to endorse and support your campaign (see sample CEO staff message in the www.fightflu.gov.au toolkit)
• Liaise with others for opportunities to cross promote and avoid competing dates or events
• Develop a budget if you need financial assistance to undertake your campaign.

EDUCATE

• Understand the barriers to vaccination and how to overcome these barriers on www.fightflu.gov.au to make your campaign effective.
• Use tools on the www.fightflu.gov.au website to educate staff about who is at risk and why they should be vaccinated. Information includes the impact of influenza on at risk groups and health care workers, the economics of vaccination and NHMRC Guidelines.

COMMUNICATE

• Work with your communications team to develop key messages and reach staff. Is there a photo opportunity here for local media?
• Use the 'fightflu' logo on your communication materials
• Consider offering incentives for vaccination (movie ticket/dinner/shopping vouchers) and provide lollypops or other confectionery at vaccination points to attract attention.
• Use 'champions' to promote vaccination (eg: a local identity, the Chief Executive Officer, a popular nursing or medical figure or the infection control manager)
• Use multiple mediums to communicate with staff (meetings, posters, notices, e-bulletins, newsletters and pay slip notices)
• Use www.fightflu.gov.au tools such as the fightflu calendar, media release and poster.

DELIVER

• Make vaccinations free for all staff
• Plan specific vaccination days
• Use the 'fight flu' poster to promote vaccination times and locations
• Offer a mobile service to take the vaccinations to staff
• Use medical or nursing peers to deliver vaccinations

EVALUATE

• Measure vaccination numbers and compare to previous rates and your goal.
• Email NICS to tell us how you conducted your campaign and your results.