Australians urged to address falling vaccination rates

With a marked dip in immunisation rates for flu and COVID-19, Australians are being urged to get the jab before winter sets in.

Vaccine coverage for influenza sits at just 24.24 per cent nationally and 14 per cent for those under the age of 50.

The take-up of COVID boosters has also dropped away significantly in people aged 75 and over, falling from 38 per cent to 32 per cent in the past 12 months.

The Australian Medical Association says people need to prioritise conversations with their GP about vaccination against both conditions as well as the similarly widespread respiratory syncytial virus, especially those at greatest risk.Western Australia's RSV immunisation program has achieved a 57 per cent reduction in hospitalisations among infants, saving the state's health system up to $6.9 million in hospital costs.

AMA President Danielle McMullen says its success highlights the power of evidence-based prevention. "These results show what's possible when we get vaccination right, with more babies being kept out of hospital because their parents chose to protect them," she said on Saturday. "The timing could not be more critical with RSV cases climbing since the start of 2025 and children under five most at risk." Dr McMullen says the drop in COVID and flu jab rates is alarming."New COVID-19 strains continue to circulate leading to increased hospitalisations, making regular boosters essential for maintaining protection against severe illness," she said.

"We are particularly concerned by (influenza) vaccination rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, which have declined across all age groups." The national RSV prevention program offers free maternal immunisation and targeted infant protection, while annual influenza jabs provide strong protection, with more than 98 per cent of this year's circulating strains matching vaccine components."The evidence is clear, vaccines work," Dr McMullen said.

"But vaccines sitting in fridges don't save lives. We need people to pay attention, particularly parents of young children and older Australians."