Mobile clinic improves MMR vaccination rates

The 10-week roadshow campaign, which offered on-the-spot vaccination at schools, colleges and busy community locations, delivered a total of 1,313 vaccinations.

NHS South West Essex PCT exceeded its MMR vaccination target of 800 and enhanced the campaign by extending the immunisation programme to include other vaccinations, such as HPV and Meningitis C.

The high-profile campaign was commissioned in response to an outbreak of mumps and rising cases of measles.  An estimated 20,000 children in the area had not completed their full MMR vaccination course at the start of the campaign.

Kathy Abbott, Immunisation Manager for NHS South West Essex, said: “By making the immunisation service quick and convenient for children and parents, we have achieved higher levels of vaccination than in previous campaigns.

“The mobile clinic was the perfect solution for the fast-response campaign that we required.  An added bonus was the fact that the vehicle carried very prominent health messages on the exterior, helping us to further underline our message.”

The campaign was co-ordinated by health promotion roadshow specialist Event Marketing Solutions (EMS), which has extensive experience of helping PCTs and charities deliver mobile healthcare services.

Keith Austin, Managing Director of EMS, said: “The success of the project highlights the benefits of taking immunisation services on the road, especially to PCTs looking to increase uptake amongst at-risk groups.

“Immunising against swine flu is a perfect example of how our mobile solution can assist PCTs and help relieve the burden of providing the service through existing GP surgeries or clinics.”

EMS has already received a high level of interest from PCTs interested in commissioning mobile clinics as part of their planning for the swine flu immunisation programme.

Have your say

You must sign in to make a comment.