The interim vaccination coverage data released last week by NCIRS showing decreases in childhood and adolescent vaccination coverage rates has drawn strong reactions across the country, including at the highest levels of government.
ABC News and other national outlets have given prominent coverage to the data, which shows that since 2020, fully vaccinated coverage rates have decreased markedly for children aged 12 months (from 94.8% to 91.6%), 24 months (from 92.1% to 89.4%) and 60 months (from 94.8% to 92.7%).
It also identifies particularly sharp declines in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine coverage among adolescent girls and boys between 2023 and 2024.
When asked about the findings, federal treasurer the Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP said, ‘I personally found that story to be quite confronting, to think that after all of the progress that’s been made in recent decades that we’re going backwards. I personally find that very troubling.’ The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Ageing and Minister for Disability and the NDIS, called the figures ‘alarming’ and noted the government is in the late stages of finalising the National Immunisation Strategy 2025–2030, which will outline concrete plans and strategies to improve vaccine uptake in Australia.
The full Annual Immunisation Coverage Report 2024, which will include more detailed related findings, will be released later in 2025.
Health professionals should be alert of the risk of measles as Australians travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj from 4 to 9 June 2025. WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region, which includes Saudi Arabia, has reported the second highest number of suspected measles cases globally for the year to date, and the highest in the month of April.
Measles is a highly infectious but vaccine-preventable viral illness transmitted by respiratory aerosols. Measles-containing vaccine is recommended for children at 12 and 18 months of age, and all patients born during or since 1966 should have either documented evidence of two doses of measles-containing vaccine, or serological evidence of immunity.
NSW Health funds the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for any individual born during or after 1966 who has not had two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or with an uncertain measles vaccination history. If there is no documentation available, then it is safe and recommended to give a dose of MMR.
Please check the vaccination status of your patients who plan on travelling for Hajj and recommend the MMR vaccine to patients who are not fully vaccinated.
Be alert for travellers returning who may have measles; prodromal symptoms include cough, conjunctivitis and coryza, followed by a rash which develops after 3-4 days of prodrome.
For more information on measles, please see the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
New COVID-19 booster resource
NCIRS has released a new resource to support conversations between health professionals and individuals about the importance of COVID-19 vaccination, with a particular focus on older people.
The resource presents research which shows that older adults who have had a recent booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine have almost half the risk of dying from the virus compared with those who received their last booster over a year ago.
It is hoped the resource can be an effective supplement in conversations with older people and others about COVID-19 vaccination, as COVID-19 disease continues to be a leading contributor to deaths in Australia.
WHO tweaks recommended antigen composition of COVID-19 vaccines
The World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) has released a statement asserting that monovalent JN.1 or KP.2 COVID-19 vaccines remain appropriate for ongoing use.
In a minor update to its previous recommendations, released in December 2024, the TAG-CO-VAC has also listed monovalent LP.8.1 as a suitable alternative vaccine antigen.
In accordance with WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) policy, vaccination programs should continue to use any current registered COVID-19 vaccines – and vaccination should not be delayed in anticipation of access to vaccines with an updated composition.
The TAG-CO-VAC meets every six months to assess the impacts of SARS-CoV-2 evolution and the performance of approved COVID-19 vaccines around the world.
Protect your patients from the flu this winter
Winter is on its way, so now is the time to prepare your patients for the flu season. Yearly vaccination is the best protection against influenza, and getting vaccinated early provides protection during peak flu season.
Under the National Immunisation Program, flu vaccines are free for those most at risk, including:
You are encouraged to talk to your patients about the importance of the flu vaccine. This aligns with the 2025 influenza vaccination recommendations from the ATAGI.
Find this year’s program advice for health professionals at the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website.
AusVaxSafety data shows what to expect after flu vaccination
The latest iteration of AusVaxSafety influenza (flu) vaccine safety data has shown that more than four-fifths (82.6%) of flu vaccine recipients experienced no adverse events in the three days after vaccination
AusVaxSafety has collected 136,045 flu vaccine safety surveys in the year to date. Respondents have reported low rates of adverse events after receiving a flu vaccine and among those who did experience an adverse event, local reaction – mainly pain, swelling and redness at the injection site – was the most common, followed by fatigue and headache.
This data – which is being updated weekly – is a helpful resource for immunisation providers when counselling patients on what to expect in the days after flu vaccination in 2025.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued an updated warning advising of a very small risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) after receipt of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines Arexvy and Abrysvo. The warning follows data from the United States which showed an estimated seven excess GBS cases per one million doses of Arexvy, and nine excess cases per one million doses of Abrysvo, both administered to patients aged 65 years and older.
The TGA’s product safety sheets for both vaccines have been updated to include the risk of GBS as a rare potential adverse event after RSV vaccination in people aged 60 years and over.
At late March 2025, the TGA had not received any reports of GBS following vaccination with Abrysvo or Arexvy – and this week’s statement emphasises that, given the potential seriousness of RSV infection and the rarity of GBS after vaccination, ‘the benefit-risk balance remains strongly in favour of vaccination’.
Health professionals are encouraged to inform patients of the possible but rare risk of this adverse event and to remain alert to the signs of GBS – which can include tingling, numbness and weakness starting at the extremities – after RSV vaccination.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released a new First Nations maternal vaccinations poster to be displayed in your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health clinics or medical centres.
It outlines the free vaccinations in pregnant which all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are eligible for.
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