Too many Australians do not get the flu vaccine. Why and what can we do about it?

Australia’s childhood vaccination program enjoys great interest yearly – almost 94% of five-year-olds have undergone all routine vaccinations. However, our flu vaccination coverage is not that good.

Looking back last yearsfor youngsters aged six months to 5 years, we saw a peak in flu vaccination coverage at the starting of the Covid pandemic – 46%, and then in the 2023 season this rate dropped to 30%.

Although we are still relatively early in the 2024 flu season, only 7% of kids children under five years old received the flu vaccine this yr.

Although young children are of particular concern, influenza vaccination rates seem like lower in comparison with the general population. Reports indicate this from March 1 to April 2816% fewer people were vaccinated against influenza in comparison with the same period last yr.

So what’s occurring and what can we do to extend uptake?

Why do we vaccinate children against flu?

Last yr, reported cases of influenza were highest in children aged five to nine, followed by children aged zero to 4. This is not a brand new trend – yearly we record numerous cases of influenza and hospitalizations of kids. Yet This yr children aged zero to 4 had the highest variety of infections, barely ahead of kids aged five to nine.

Although children usually tend to catch and spread the flu, also they are more more likely to develop into seriously unwell. This applies particularly to children under five years of age, for whom the flu vaccine is on the market freed from charge.

The flu vaccine is not perfect – it could not completely prevent infections – nevertheless it’s definitely our greatest likelihood at protection. The study found that visits to the GP for flu were more frequent greater than half in vaccinated children in comparison with unvaccinated children.

So why don’t children get the vaccine?

This often comes right down to confusion about who’s eligible for the vaccine or for whom it is strongly recommended. However, we can solve this problem by persuading people through SMS reminder.

Some parents raise concerns about the vaccine, including the old dogma that it can cause influenza. Flu vaccine I can’t provide you with the flu since it does not contain live virus. Unfortunately, this myth may be very sticky.

For some parentsit can be a challenge to forget a reservation or get to an appointment.

Not only children are at increased risk

Adults 65 years of age and older are also more prone to the flu and may develop into unwell with the flu free vaccine. For this group, we are likely to move around 65% vaccinated. So far this yr, about 35% people over the age of 65 received the flu vaccine.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals are also eligible for a free flu vaccine. Although coverage rates were previously higher amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in comparison with the overall population, this gap has narrowed. Especially since there’s even some backward movement in younger age groups.

The flu vaccine can also be free for pregnant women and anyone who has it medical condition corresponding to heart disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes or kidney disease.

Previous studies have shown coverage with the flu vaccine for pregnant women varies across the country from 39% to 76% (meaning that in some jurisdictions as much as 60% of pregnant women are not vaccinated). For adults with chronic conditions, we are not sure how many individuals are receiving the vaccine.

The reasons adults don’t at all times get the flu vaccine overlap with the reasons that affect children. Often concerns about unwanted side effects time constraints are cited as the reason for not vaccinating.

We know too access to medical services could also be difficult for some people, for instance those living in rural areas or experiencing financial difficulties.

Filling in the gaps

In Australia, GPs offer flu vaccinations to people of all ages, while flu vaccinations are also available from pharmacies, often from the age of 5.

While some people consciously select not to vaccinate themselves or their children, for many the barriers are related to access.

There are a growing variety of programs offering vaccinations outside the doctor’s office around the world, and they can help filling in the gapsespecially amongst those that do not have regular access to a family doctor.

For some people, the only point of contact with medical system may occur during emergency department visits. Others can have more regular contact with expert who coordinates their medical care, not their primary care physician.

Offers vaccine education and programs in these settings it has been shown to enhance vaccination rates and may play a key role in closing access gaps.

Apart from medical facilities and pharmacies, the most typical place for Australian adults to receive a flu vaccine is in the workplace. AND questionnaire found that Australian adults find workplace vaccinations convenient and cost-effective, especially where free or subsidized vaccines are offered.

Expanding vaccination settings corresponding to z passing and mobile clinics, can profit groups which have unique barriers to access or are underserved. Meanwhile, offering vaccinations through faith-based organizations has been shown to enhance uptake amongst people racial and ethnic minorities.