Supporting Access to Vaccination for Vulnerable Groups Grants for General Practices
Round Six 2024
General practices in the Nepean Blue Mountains region are encouraged to apply for our Supporting Access to Vaccination for Vulnerable Groups Grant in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing efforts of general practice to support the vaccination program. These grants may be used for COVID-19 vaccination related expenses and to improve vaccination rates for vulnerable and non-Medicare eligible populations.
Who can apply?
General practices in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, and Penrith LGAs. General practices who did not receive grant payment during previous rounds will be prioritised in round 6.
Grant Level
Eligible Activities
This grant offers general practices support for the unplanned additional costs incurred during COVID-19 and to identify vulnerable populations and non-Medicare eligible patients within the practice using data quality activities.
Examples of vulnerable groups include but are not limited to the following:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Older people
- People with chronic conditions
- Culturally and linguistic diverse communities
- People who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
- People with a disability
- Children 5-11 years old
Eligible costs and activities for this grant include:
- Improving health literacy in COVID-19 vaccine hesitant populations (e.g., having conversations with patients identified as vaccine hesitant about the benefits of vaccination and where possible assist them to access the vaccine).
- Protected time to identify vulnerable population groups in your clinical software that are under vaccinated and recall to discuss vaccination.
- Connecting vulnerable populations to a COVID-19 vaccine provider.
- Enhancing continuity of care during emergencies and natural disasters (e.g., continuing to service patients who are housebound).
- Deliver COVID vaccination pop-up clinics to vulnerable population groups (i.e., homeless, CALD groups etc).
- Training of additional or existing staff to meet the increased demand for COVID care and vaccination clinics.
- Setting up COVID health systems (e.g. Clinical Contact Point, and telehealth video consultations).
Costs covered by the Medicare Benefits Schedule or applications relating to infrastructure are out of scope for this grant and will not be successful.
How to apply
Applications will close 5:00pm Friday 29 November 2024 or when funds are fully expended, whichever occurs first.
Applicants must complete the Grants Supplier form in addition to the form below to complete their application.
We will assess applications on a rolling basis, and successful grant recipients will be notified via email with a Letter of Agreement, which needs to be signed and returned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the grants per organisation or per site?
The grants are per site, i.e. if a general practice has more than one site, they can apply once for each site.
What evidence do I need to have available if requested?
Grant recipients may be asked to show receipts, paid invoices, or other proof of expense, upon request. You do not need to send receipts or quotes with the grant application.
Does the practice have to be a COVID-19 vaccine provider?
No, the general practice does not need to be a COVID-19 vaccination provider, given that work will be done to connect the patient with a vaccine provider if required.
For more information contact our Program Development Officers via email or call 4708 8100 during business hours.
