$100,000 Available for Sustainable Immunisation Ideas

Australian immunisation providers are being called on by Sanofi Pasteur to submit original and sustainable immunisation ideas for their chance to win one of five $20,000 unrestricted educational sponsorships.

Now in its third year, the Sanofi Pasteur VaxiGrants Program was launched to reward and share innovation and best practice in immunisation, encouraging healthcare professionals to think creatively and consider new ways to implement programs designed to help improve the awareness and uptake of immunisation within local communities.

Sanofi Pasteur has launched the 2014 program six months earlier than previous years with the winners to be announced in June at the Public Health Association Australia (PHAA) 14th National Immunisation Conference.

General Practitioner Dr Alan Leeb, with more than 20 years of experience in immunisation and pediatrics, and a member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), has joined the judging panel again for 2014.

"There were some outstanding entries in 2013 with some exceptional thinking. The enthusiasm and creativity demonstrated by healthcare professionals around Australia really demonstrates just how dedicated people are to their practice,” said Dr Leeb.

Five Vaxigrant awards (offering $20,000 each) will be provided to immunisation professionals and organisations with a bright idea in the following dynamic categories:

1. Applying innovation in areas of low immunisation

2. Improving collaboration within a Medicare Local to promote the NIP across multiple immunisation providers and the wider community

3. Increasing vaccination coverage for Indigenous Australians

4. Utilising technology to increase immunisation awareness, coverage and adverse events surveillance

5. Increasing disease prevention for Australians traveling overseas

“The categories this year reflect the areas of immunisation that are developing very quickly in Australia. Ideally these immunisation awards will be able to help assist this growth and reflect positive health outcomes for local communities.

Healthcare professionals or organisations who want to apply for Vaxigrants must submit their application by 11 April.

“There is less time to submit applications this year so it’s important for immunisation providers to start thinking about their submission now. Any applicants worried about the time commitment should focus on the benefits of a successful application,” said Dr Leeb.

Sanofi Pasteur Medical & Regulatory Affairs Director, Dr Andrea Forde, said the Sanofi Pasteur Vaxigrants give people in the field of immunisation the opportunity to share innovative ideas with their fellow healthcare professionals.

“Receiving an immunisation sponsorship is a fantastic opportunity to be recognised and rewarded for your initiative, and will contribute to improving health and wellbeing among local Australian communities,” said Dr Forde.

Ideas can be submitted via www.vaxigrants.com.au and will open from 14 Feb until 11 April 2014 at 5pm EST