Protocol for a cross-sectional study on COVID-19 vaccination programmes in primary health care

• Published in: African journal of primary health care & family medicine Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. e1 - 7
• Main Authors: Sodhi, Sumeet, Chamali, Rifka, Praveen, Devarsetty, Sharma, Manushi, Dieguez, Marcelo Garcia, Mash, Robert, Goodyear-Smith, Felicity, Ponka, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: South Africa AOSIS 2023; African Online Scientific Information Systems (Pty) Ltd t/a AOSIS; AOSIS (Pty) Ltd; AOSIS Publishing
• Subjects: Biology; Chronic diseases; Climate change; Community; Consent; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 Vaccines; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data collection; Evidence-based medicine; Global health; Health care; Health Care Sciences & Services; Health services; Humans; Immunisation; Immunization; integrated health systems; Jurisdiction; Medical research; Medical screening; Medicine, General & Internal; Original Research; Palliative treatment; Pandemics; Physical fitness; Physical instruments; Primary care; Primary Health Care; Professionals; Public health; Research methodology; Swine flu; Vaccination; Vaccination - methods; Vaccines; Canada; COVID-19; global health; integrated health systems; primary care; primary health care; immunisation; public health
• ISSN: 2071-2928; 2071-2936; 2071-2936
• DOI: 10.4102/phcfm.v15i1.3649

Background An integrated primary health care approach, where primary care and public health efforts are coordinated, is a key feature of routine immunisation campaigns.Aim The aim of the study is to describe the approach used by a diverse group of international primary health care professionals in delivering their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination programmes, as well as their perspectives on public health and primary care integration while implementing national COVID-19 vaccination programmes in their own jurisdictions.Setting This is a protocol for a study, which consists of a cross-sectional online survey disseminated among a convenience sample of international primary health care professional through member-based organisations and professional networks via email and online newsletters.Methods Survey development followed an iterative validation process with a formative committee developing the survey instrument based on study objectives, existing literature and best practices and a summative committee verifying and validating content.Results Main outcome measures are vaccination implementation approach (planning, coordination service deliver), level or type of primary care involvement and degree of primary care and public health integration at community level.Conclusion Integrated health systems can lead to a greater impact in the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine and can ensure that we are better prepared for crises that threaten human health, not only limited to infectious pandemics but also the rising tide of chronic disease, natural and conflict-driven disasters and climate change.Contribution This study will provide insight and key learnings for improving vaccination efforts for COVID-19 and possible future pandemics.