Bringing vaccination closer to home: tackling health inequity one clinic at a time

Everyone deserves equal and easy access to healthcare. However, limited primary health services in some areas make it challenging for residents to stay up to date with their COVID-19, influenza, and National Immunisation Program vaccinations.

Like many other regional communities, residents in Kilcoy, Woodford and Wamuran face limited clinic availability, long travel times, and a shortage of local GPs and vaccine providers.

Our solution was simple – we brought vaccinations to the community at a suitable time, running a series of free after-hours vaccination clinics from March to May 2025.

In doing so, we delivered 453 vaccines to 280 patients across five community clinics.

Real people, real outcomes

A 2023 report by Footprints identified Kilcoy, Woodford, and Wamuran as areas with low vaccination rates for COVID-19, influenza, and routine childhood immunisations. This highlighted the need for targeted, community-specific outreach.

Resources are stretched in these areas, with only one GP in Wamuran and a reduced number of GPs providing COVID-19 vaccines in Kilcoy. Local GPs and pharmacies were unable to support the community clinics due to a lack of staff available outside of regular hours.

‘At its core, this project is about more than just vaccines,’ said Project Lead Kimberley Charnock. ‘It’s about equity, access, and making sure no community is left behind.’

We collaborated with the Queensland Injectors Health Network (QuIHN) and together, delivered free vaccinations on Saturdays from 10.00 am – 2.00 pm. The clinics offered COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as well as those deemed essential on the National Immunisation Program, such as whooping cough, pneumococcal, and tetanus.

By holding clinics outside business hours in remote areas, we removed some of the barriers that had made it difficult for residents to get vaccinated. People were able to attend outside their usual school, work, or caregiving responsibilities. We also met one of our overarching goals – facilitating care closer to home and making it easier for people to access healthcare when and where they need it.

Community impact

The community clinics attracted a diverse range of residents, including families, older adults, and vulnerable community members. The positive feedback was overwhelming, with many locals expressing gratitude for the convenience, care, and commitment shown by all involved. When asked to rate their experience of care, 93.3 per cent selected ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’, and 89.96 percent said they would attend a community clinic again.

The clinic welcomed residents as young as four and some in their late 90s, with 63 per cent of patients aged over 65.

When asked for suggestions for improvement, we were told:

• ‘Please keep this clinic every year for our local community – we need this!!!’
• ‘Everything was quick and easy.’
• ‘Great staff – excellent service!’
• ‘Couldn’t improve it at all.’

Some patients suggested more community promotion, simplified paperwork, and additional nurses, while also stressing the ongoing need for vaccine clinics.

Investing in tomorrow

The project was supported through Commonwealth Government funding, allowing us to deliver free services to the community. But beyond funding, it was the dedication of teams on the ground – clinical and non-clinical – that made this possible.

‘Every vaccine given represents a step towards healthier, more resilient communities,’ said Kimberley.

‘Not only have we improved access to vaccines, but we’ve reached the most remote populations in our region and addressed health disparities in rural and underserved communities.’