Taylors Lakes nurse Bernadette Nicholls has been recognised for her efforts to debunk immunisation myths, one follow-up call at a time.
The mother of three is the latest recipient of the annual ‘best practice in nursing’ award presented by the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association.
She was so “bewildered” by the north-west’s low rate of immunisations when she started working that she trained to become a nurse immuniser and run her own immunisation clinic.
Some people remain sceptical of immunisation, but Mrs Nicholls assures her patients the pros outweigh any cons.
“I’ve been able to dispel the biggest myth [by making phone calls], as there is no evidence to suggest [immunisation has] any links to learning difficulties or autism,” Mrs Nicholls said. “All three of my children have been immunised and my youngest is now completing her Gardasil vaccination [to prevent cervical cancer].”
Juggling motherhood, employment, and immunisation advocacy requires a lot of hard work and dedication.
But Mrs Nicholls is determined to “help people achieve the best health possible”.
In the past 18 months she has become a Pap test provider, giving her the opportunity to talk to women about immunisation before they give birth.
