Optimizing school-based delivery of HPV and other routine vaccines for adolescents with disability in specialist schools in Victoria, Australia: a co-design study.

Abstract

Aim: To co-design strategies to improve school-based immunization service delivery for adolescents with disability in Victoria, Australia.

Subject and methods: Co-design workshops with 15 stakeholders from six Victorian specialist schools. In two workshops, participants discussed findings from previous interviews (n = 32) and defined immunization challenges. Investigators thematically analysed discussions, prioritized ideas and produced prototype interventions. In a third workshop, prototyped interventions were discussed to elicit preferences and feedback. An advisory group was consulted prior to strategy finalization.

Results: Multiple opportunities were identified to improve vaccine service delivery for adolescents in the specialist school setting. A fundamental challenge was to improve accessibility of parent information about the school immunization program and the vaccination pathway. Developing information resources and education modules about vaccination day could enable schools to prepare students. Finally, developing and implementing a clear vaccination pathway from consent to post-vaccination, incorporating the capacity to cater to individual student needs, will optimize the vaccination experience for these students.

Conclusion: This is the first study to co-design a proposed model of vaccine service delivery, with supporting resources, tailored to adolescents in special schools. Further work is needed to examine feasibility and acceptability of implementing and evaluating the service delivery model.