Pharmacy Daily | GSK’s shot in the arm for older Aussies

LAUNCHED at Parliament House, the GSK Australia report, Risk to Resilience: A roadmap to vaccine access for older Australians calls for reforming the National Immunisation Program (NIP), and may have the potential to be the shot in the arm Australia's health system needs.

The report released yesterday, demonstrates the value of increased Australian Government investment in innovative vaccines and better access through a redesigned NIP focused on older adults.

Data showed the greatest benefits would be felt by regional Australians, low socio-economic groups, and the people of South Australia and Tasmania.

Robert Booy, Honorary Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Sydney, says Australia could lead the way internationally by designing and funding an NIP reflective of the ageing population.

"We know what works, let's use the NIP to remove known barriers to vaccination for Australian adults like accessibility, affordability and awareness."

GSK commissioned Clarivate Health Sciences to conduct a detailed analysis, mapping federal electorate divisions by four factors that may make people more vulnerable to preventable disease and subsequent poorer health outcomes.

Factors included age, income, education and co-morbidities.

Dr Alan Paul, Country Medical Director at GSK Australia, added that identifying the electorates at greatest risk of preventable disease will help governments and the health sector focus its efforts where they will have the greatest impact.

As well as identifying barriers to vaccination, the report calls for governments to partner with all stakeholders and consumers and to reform reimbursement systems and processes.