UPDATE: A new report reveals a troubling decline in childhood vaccination rates across Australia, prompting urgent calls for immediate action. The National Vaccination Insights project highlights that only 92.7 percent of five-year-olds were vaccinated in 2024, down from 95 percent in 2020. This decline follows the COVID-19 pandemic, and experts warn that without intervention, these rates could continue to drop.
Parents face significant barriers in accessing vaccinations, including limited appointment availability and out-of-pocket costs. According to co-author Maryke Steffens from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, most parents support vaccinations but struggle to prioritize them amid other responsibilities. “The top barriers were mostly around the ability to get appointments easily and the cost of getting their child vaccinated,” she stated.
The report comes on the heels of controversial statements by former President Donald Trump, who recently labeled the US childhood vaccine schedule a “disgrace.” His remarks, supported by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., add to the misinformation surrounding vaccinations, further complicating parents’ decisions. “We have heard a lot of information about vaccines coming out of the US, and I can imagine that this can make parents feel really worried,” Dr. Steffens added.
Dr. Steffens emphasizes the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect children and the wider community from preventable diseases. “Vaccination is safe; it protects children and the community from disease,” she asserted. The report underscores a need for urgent, coordinated action across various sectors, including policy and healthcare.
Key recommendations include improving access to vaccinations by increasing bulk billing options and providing services after work hours at community clinics and pharmacies. Additionally, the report calls for enhanced communication efforts to educate parents through trusted community advocates and automated vaccination reminder systems.
“It’s important not to be complacent,” Dr. Steffens warned. “When vaccination is working really well, we don’t see these diseases. We don’t want to go back to the days when these diseases were prevalent and people were becoming really unwell.” The study was published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health on Friday, reinforcing the urgency of the situation.
The recommendations align with the National Immunisation Strategy 2025-2030. Dr. Steffens expressed confidence that if Australia implements these strategies, they can reverse the downward trend in vaccination rates. “I really have confidence that if Australia implements these strategies, we will make headway towards turning the trend around,” she concluded.
The time for action is now as communities across Australia strive to safeguard children’s health and maintain herd immunity. Parents are urged to seek vaccinations actively and advocate for accessible services in their areas.
