Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) invites Grant applications for the provision of the Vulnerable Persons Vaccination Program (VVP): Community Pharmacy Vaccination Hub.

Grant opportunity to support proactive uptake of vaccinations for vulnerable populations

We would like to invite you to apply for a grant opportunity available to vaccinating community pharmacies in the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) region, Local Government areas within the catchment outlined below.

• Banyule
• Boroondara
• Knox
• Manningham
• Maroondah
• Mitchell
• Monash
• Murrindindi
• Nillumbik
• Whitehorse
• Whittlesea
• Yarra Ranges

EMPHN is providing funding to support vaccinating community pharmacies to participate in proactive engagement and activities that promote uptake of COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations over a 6-month period.

The Vulnerable Peoples Vaccination Program (VVP) is a specific program funded by the Australian Government to ensure continued access to COVID-19 vaccinations for vulnerable populations. As part of the VVP program, EMPHN is looking to appoint a COVID-19 vaccination ‘hub’ in each LGA in the EMPHN catchment, totalling 12 hubs.

The purpose of the program is to support community pharmacies (who are delivering COVID-19 vaccinations or have an established referral pathway for vaccinations) through funding and resources to engage with individuals from vulnerable groups. Successful grant recipients will receive $10,000 to conduct a 6-month intervention to establish a Community Pharmacy Vaccination Hub which aims to:

• increase access to COVID-19 vaccines for vulnerable populations
• provide support to vulnerable peoples to receive COVID-19 vaccinations including facilitating tailored approaches
• develop and implement innovative COVID-19 vaccination activities to assist vulnerable individuals to enable easier access to COVID-19 vaccinations in their local area.

 Key vulnerable populations have been identified as priority cohorts for this program. They include (but are not limited to):

• those who are experiencing homelessness, including those living on the streets, in emergency accommodation, boarding houses or between temporary shelters;
• those who do not have a Medicare card or are not eligible for Medicare;
• people with a disability
• people are frail and cannot leave home;
• First Nations Peoples;
• culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse people, especially asylum seekers and refugees and those in older age groups who may find it difficult to use other vaccination services;
• children aged 5-11 who have complex needs, who are not captured by another suitable vaccination channel,
• homebound individuals
• people living in Residential Aged Care and
• any other vulnerable groups identified as requiring dedicated support to access vaccinations

 Please ensure you read all parts of the grant to understand the process for lodging a response.