The importance of involving midwives before and during the implementation of an antenatal pertussis vaccination program in New South Wales, Australia.

Problem: Typically there is limited opportunity for stakeholder engagement to determine service delivery gaps when implementing an outbreak or supplementary vaccination program.

Background: In response to increasing pertussis notifications in NSW, Australia, an antenatal pertussis vaccination program was introduced offering pertussis containing vaccine to all pregnant women in the third trimester.

Aim: To explore the effectiveness of consulting with midwives prior to and during a new state-wide vaccination program.

Methods: A pre-program needs analysis was conducted through an online audit of the NSW Clinical Midwifery Consultants followed by a post-implementation audit at 18 months.

Findings: Information received from the midwives was utilised during program planning which facilitated program implementation without any major issues in all Local Health Districts. The post-implementation audit provided feedback to program planners that that implementation was continuing consistently and Midwives were found to be very supportive and engaged.

Discussion: Education and support of clinicians is vital for high vaccine uptake in new vaccination programs which can be enabled through appropriate educational packages and program resources.

Conclusion: Consulting with the midwives in advance of a new vaccination program was a new initiative and highly recommended as it was time well spent gaining essential information on program resourcing and operational needs. Conducting a post-implementation audit is also strongly recommended as a check-point for issues and recommendations, to empower frontline staff and support consistent program implementation. Frontline staff engagement before and during implementation of a new vaccination program is a powerful mechanism for effective, efficient and consistent program delivery.