Western Australia’s Chief Health Officer, Andy Robertson, has issued a stark warning regarding the critical need for increased vaccination rates among children and adults. As he prepares to retire at the end of this month, he emphasized the potential for fatalities if the community fails to combat misinformation from anti-vaccination movements.
In an interview with The West Australian, Dr. Robertson expressed pride in the resilience of West Australians during the pandemic, noting their adherence to stringent health measures from 2020 to 2022. These measures included strict border controls, quarantine protocols, and a strong push for vaccination against COVID-19. “I am very happy where we landed with COVID,” he stated. “I am proud of the people of WA because they did the right thing.”
Despite this success, Dr. Robertson is concerned about rising vaccine hesitancy since the pandemic, which he believes could leave children and adults vulnerable to severe diseases. “We have seen increased hesitancy,” he explained, highlighting the growing influence of a vocal anti-vaccination lobby. “They are certainly against COVID vaccines, but increasingly against other vaccines.”
The alarming decline in vaccination rates has been documented by the Australian Government Department of Health, which reported that childhood vaccination rates in WA have fallen below the crucial 95 percent threshold needed for herd immunity. Currently, only 90.33 percent of one-year-olds, 88 percent of two-year-olds, and nearly 92 percent of five-year-olds are fully immunised. “These are safe and effective vaccines that ultimately can prevent serious disease, and even death, in your children,” Dr. Robertson urged.
Dr. Robertson also emphasized the importance of vaccinations beyond COVID-19, particularly for diseases such as measles, whooping cough, and tetanus. He warned of the potential resurgence of measles outbreaks in WA due to unvaccinated populations, stating, “If our population is properly vaccinated, we should not see any spread.”
His tenure in WA Health began in 2003, where he initially focused on disaster management. With nearly 20 years of experience in the Navy and a notable role in leading United Nations biological inspections in Iraq, he never anticipated that he would later spearhead the health response to a global pandemic. Reflecting on his unexpected journey, he said, “It was an experience that I hadn’t expected.”
The first confirmed COVID-19 death in WA was that of James Kwan on March 1, 2020, which marked a turning point in the state’s response. Dr. Robertson noted that this event highlighted the seriousness of the pandemic, distinguishing it from seasonal influenza. In the following years, WA implemented strict border controls to isolate itself from the rest of Australia and the world, maintaining these measures until March 2022.
Dr. Robertson reported that the COVID-19 strategy, dubbed the “island within an island” plan by former WA Premier Mark McGowan, effectively kept the state safe. A review in 2023 revealed that WA’s COVID-19 fatality rate was 0.074 percent, significantly lower than the national average of 0.174 percent. He expressed no regrets about the restrictions, stating, “I think they were proportionate at the time.”
Despite facing challenges, including legal battles against billionaire Clive Palmer, who contested WA’s border restrictions, Dr. Robertson remained focused on public health. He noted that the cooperation of the WA populace was a significant factor in successfully managing the pandemic. “People were highly cooperative during COVID. That was one of the strengths of WA,” he said.
As he approaches retirement, Dr. Robertson looks forward to spending more time with his family, potentially indulging in his passion for tennis. While he plans to remain engaged with the community, he humbly attributes his achievements to the collective effort of the health team, the state government, and the public. “I refuse to accept personal accolades for my role in guiding WA through the pandemic,” he remarked.
In a testament to the impact he has made, Dr. Robertson shared a touching encounter in a local store. “A lady just walked up and said, ‘Hello, you were the chief health officer during COVID, thank you for what you did,’” he recalled with a smile. As WA prepares for a future beyond the pandemic, the legacy of Dr. Andy Robertson will undoubtedly resonate within the community he served.
