UP TO 3.8 million Australian adults are missing out on free vaccinations each year, putting themselves at risk of contracting life-threatening, yet preventable infections, according to a report in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) today.
The report's release coincides with the launch of the University of New South Wales Vaccine and Infection Research Lab (UNSW VIRL), a national research centre of excellence designed to tackle the serious social health issue of low adult vaccination rates, and reduce the gap between infant and adult vaccination.
The group identified at high risk and most missing out on their free vaccine under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) are those aged 65 years and older.
Although targetted for influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia and shingles vaccines within the NIP, only around 49% of this demographic are being immunised.
"Vaccination rates are significantly higher among infants versus their grandparents, despite the availability of free vaccines for both groups. This demonstrates the lower value that society places on keeping older Australians healthy," said UNSW VIRL Head, Professor Raina MacIntyre, Sydney.
Influenza alone is responsible for more than 3,000 deaths per year in the senior age group who have a low perception of the risk associated with the infection, the report reads.
Authors call upon governments, the media, providers and individuals to direct more attention towards the large numbers of adults who are unnecessarily susceptible to vaccine-preventable disease each year.
Visit mja.com.au for the report.
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