Morningside General Practice achieves remarkable 298% increase in flu vaccination rates
Morningside General Practice has successfully transformed its influenza vaccination program, achieving an impressive 298% increase in vaccinations in 2024 compared to their 2023 rates, through a concerted quality improvement activity effort involving the whole practice team with support from a Brisbane South PHN Quality Improvement Coach.
With rising influenza (flu) cases linked to declining flu vaccination rates after the COVID-19 pandemic, Morningside General Practice set a goal to increase their patient flu vaccination rates by 10%. This meant taking their 2023 figure of 1,440 vaccinations up to 1,550 vaccinations. The practice, however, far surpassed expectations, achieving a total of 4,179 flu vaccinations during the 2024 flu season — a 298% increase in their flu vaccination rates.
This incredible success highlights the power of a well-structured flu clinic model, a whole-of-practice approach, and the dedication and hard work of the individuals who make up the Morningside General Practice team.
Image: Two of the Morningside General Practice staff members with their Quality Improvement certificate of achievement
How was Morningside General Practice able to achieve this result?
To achieve this impressive improvement, Morningside General Practice implemented their flu clinic system through a structured team-based approach that ensured smooth clinic operations and maximised patient participation. Along the way, a Brisbane South PHN Quality Improvement Coach worked side by side with Morningside General Practice to support the practice through this process.
Their practice followed these steps:
Initial meetings were held with the practice’s doctors. The management team presented the idea of running a flu clinic with an overview of how the clinic could potentially run, highlighting both the patient benefits and the practice’s financial benefits of running flu clinics.
The practice then used a team approach to create the procedures for nurses, doctors and reception teams, to set responsibilities and refine:
ordering processes
clinic outlines for set up and logistics
cold chain management processes to run the clinic.
The lead nurse conducted in-service training for all nursing staff to ensure confidence and understanding of how the flu clinic would run.
The reception team were given a written script they could follow when talking with patients. This was designed to increase the reception team’s confidence in explaining to patients how the flu clinic ran and to manage patient expectations.
Social media was used to promote the flu clinic (and its benefits) to patients.
Use successful QI models for your general practice today
Morningside General Practice’s success demonstrates that a well-organised flu clinic can significantly improve vaccination uptake.
Your practice can take similar steps using Primary Sense reports (Winter Wellness) to identify eligible patients and track vaccination rates.
Our step-by-step video can show you how to access the Winter Wellness report:
Prepare your practice as we come into flu season
Flu vaccination plays a crucial role in preventing severe flu complications, hospitalisations, and even deaths. Recent data shows a decline in vaccination rates across Queensland between 2022 and 2024, highlighting the urgent need for proactive vaccination efforts.
The 2025 Free Flu Vaccination Program runs from 1 March to 30 September 2025. The Queensland Government continues to provide free flu vaccinations to all Queenslanders in 2025, making this the perfect time for practices to prepare for flu season.
Helpful information for immunisation providers can be found on our website: Prevention, Screening and Immunisation | Brisbane South PHN
Influenza assessment and management advice for clinicians can be found on Brisbane South HealthPathways: Influenza - Community HealthPathways Brisbane South (SpotOnHealth)
Get free support for your practice from a Quality Improvement Coach
Brisbane South PHN’s Quality Improvement (QI) Team is available to provide in-practice support to local general practices looking to enhance their flu vaccination programs. For assistance this or with another practice quality improvement activity, contact the team at support@bsphn.org.au.