Messaging and Communication Tips
Equipping providers to address questions, build trust, and promote immunisation.
Effective communication is key to improving vaccine confidence and uptake. This page is designed to support healthcare professionals in having clear, compassionate, and culturally appropriate conversations with patients about immunisation.
The Immunisation Coalition will soon launch a series of roleplay videos to support these conversations—stay tuned.
In the meantime, we’ve compiled a range of evidence-based communication resources developed by trusted Australian health organisations.
Communication Strategies by Scenario
SKAI (Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation)
These short guides are tailored to various patient scenarios you may encounter:
- Talking about COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy – Quick Guide
- Talking to parents who are declining vaccination
- Talking to parents who have questions
- Talking to parents who are ready to vaccinate
- Talking about vaccination with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
- Example of a supportive flu vaccine yarn
- Talking to adult patients who have questions
- Addressing vaccine misinformation
Explore all SKAI tools: SKAI for Healthcare Professionals
Older Adults and Aged Care
Australian Government Toolkits
- Aged Care COVID-19 Vaccination – Communication Toolkit
- Infectious respiratory disease: Prepare and prevent for older people
- Aged care communication toolkits collection
- Prepare and prevent for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Prepare and prevent for multicultural communities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
Culturally Appropriate Resources
- Own It toolkit for cervical screening
- Screen with your Sistas – breast screening toolkit
- Living with COVID-19 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- NCIRS: Supporting vaccination conversations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Prepare and prevent for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Addressing Questions & Concerns
NCIRS Communication Resources
- Communicating with people who are unvaccinated against COVID-19
- Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake – A guide
- Questions about vaccination – Australian Government
Disease-Specific Communication Kits
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Antiviral Treatments For Influenza Guide
Antivirals can reduce the severity and duration of influenza, especially in high-risk patients. This guide outlines available treatments, when to use them, effectiveness, side effects,…
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CoRiCal: COVID-19 Risk Calculator
CoRiCal is a tool to help people make decisions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. It shows how the vaccine can lower the chance of catching,…
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Essential COVID-19 clinical reference: latest vaccine schedules, antiviral protocols, risk stratification & treatment guidelines for healthcare professionals.
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90% of Australians get HPV – but new single-dose protocols are transforming prevention! Get the latest evidence-based updates every healthcare professional needs.
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Watch expert videos on immunisation, prevention, and vaccine awareness. Explore real stories, GP insights, and educational clips on influenza, HPV, pertussis, meningococcal disease, pregnancy vaccination,…
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Essential influenza reference for healthcare professionals: vaccination schedules, antiviral treatments, high-risk groups, prevention strategies, and the latest evidence-based clinical updates.
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Rapidly progressing and potentially fatal, meningococcal disease requires urgent recognition and prevention. This guide covers symptoms, high-risk groups, vaccine schedules (MenACWY, MenB), effectiveness, and safety…
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Messaging and Communication Tips
Build vaccine confidence through effective communication. Explore evidence-based tools, SKAI conversation guides, and culturally appropriate resources to support patient discussions about immunisation.
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