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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Whooping cough is highly contagious and especially dangerous for infants. This guide covers symptoms, high-risk groups, vaccine schedules, maternal immunisation, prevention strategies, and treatment updates…
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Pneumococcal disease can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, with the highest risks in young children, older adults, and immunocompromised people. This guide provides information on…
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Clinical guidance for pneumococcal vaccination in Australia. The PneumoSmart Tool helps healthcare professionals apply the latest Australian Immunisation Handbook recommendations, including updates for Prevenar 20…
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RSV Guidance and State/Territory Funding Information
Clear guidance on RSV vaccines and monoclonal antibodies is essential to prevent administration errors and protect patients. This page explains product differences, eligibility, and state/territory…
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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants, and can also cause severe illness in older adults. This guide…
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Shingles is a painful reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, most common in older adults and immunocompromised people. This guide covers symptoms, complications like post-herpetic neuralgia,…
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Subscribe for the latest immunisation updates and event invitations. Join the Immunisation Coalition mailing list for trusted news, resources, and alerts tailored to healthcare professionals.
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Explore national survey findings on vaccination attitudes and behaviours in Australia. Access Immunisation Coalition reports tracking influenza and COVID-19 trends, vaccine confidence, and public health…
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Find trusted immunisation resources in one place. Access ATAGI recommendations, vaccine schedules, safety data, disease guides, surveillance tools, and professional training for healthcare providers.
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