Predictors of a successful local government public immunisation program in western Sydney

The public immunisation programs of 14 local government councils in Sydney's Western Region were examined to determine those variables which might predict an effective program. Independent variables included the demographic characteristics of the populations being served, as well as relevant aspects of each council's clinic program and administrative input. The dependent variables were three indices of immunisation reflecting the proportion of the 0-5 population reached by the public immunisation service. One variable, the amount of staff time spent on administration, was best able to explain the variance in public clinic immunisation rates across the local government areas. Components of effective staff time were examined and the results are discussed in relation to the planning and promotion of public immunisation programs.