Supporting Access to Vaccination for Vulnerable Groups - Grants for General Practices

Round one applications are now closed.

General practices in our region are encouraged to apply for our the 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 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.

Grant Levels

• Level 1 - $3,000 (ex GST) 
• Level 2 - $5,000 (ex GST) 

Eligible Activities

This grant offers general practices support for unplanned additional costs incurred during the pandemic.This grant can also be used to improve the vaccination status of vulnerable populations and non-Medicare eligible patients 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 linguistically 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 assisting 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).
• Delivering COVID-19 vaccination pop-up clinics to vulnerable population groups (i.e. homeless, culturally and linguistically diverse groups etc).
• Training of additional or existing staff to meet the increased demand for COVID care and vaccination clinics.
• Conducting fit testing of masks/respirators for staff.
• Setting up COVID-19 health systems (e.g. Care Monitor, 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 are now closed.

Applications will be assessed by us 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. Round one applications are currently closed as funds have been fully expended.

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 provide data relating to instances of service relating to grant funded activities. Successful grant recipients will be provided with further details.

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.

For more information contact Kirrilee, our Program Development Officer for Primary Care Initiatives, during business hours on 4708 8189.