Winter's here: time to shield our most vulnerable from respiratory illness surge
Winter has officially arrived across Australia, bringing with it a surge in acute respiratory infections that are filling hospital beds.
The Australian Medical Association is urging people to prioritise conversations with their GP about vaccination against COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, particularly for those at greatest risk.
New data from Western Australia demonstrates the remarkable impact of vaccination programs, with its RSV immunisation program achieving a 57 per cent reduction in hospitalisations among infants, saving the WA health system an estimated $6.2–6.9 million in hospital costs.
AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said the success of this program demonstrated the power of evidence-based prevention.
"These results show what's possible when we get vaccination right, with more babies being kept out of hospital because their parents chose to protect them," Dr McMullen said.
“The timing could not be more critical with RSV cases climbing since the start of 2025, and children under five most at risk.”
Dr McMullen said reductions in vaccination rates for COVID-19 boosters and influenza were alarming.
“New COVID-19 strains continue to circulate leading to increased hospitalisations, making regular boosters essential for maintaining protection against severe illness.”
Across the country, influenza vaccine coverage sits at just 24.24 per cent nationally and just 14 per cent across all age groups under the age of 50 years.
“We are particularly concerned by vaccination rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, which have declined across all age groups.
“Meanwhile COVID-19 booster coverage has dropped significantly in people aged 75 and over, falling from 38.2 per cent to just 326.2 per cent in the past 12 months.”
Dr McMullen said Australia now had unprecedented tools to prevent serious respiratory illness and urged people to visit their GP and get vaccinated. If patients are unsure of which vaccination they need or are worried because of the misinformation appearing on social media, their GP can provide expert guidance and the necessary facts to support them in making an informed decision.
“The national RSV prevention program offers free maternal vaccination and targeted infant protection. Annual influenza vaccines provide strong protection, with more than 98 per cent of this year's circulating strains matching vaccine components.
"The evidence is clear — vaccines work. But vaccines sitting in fridges don't save lives. We need people to pay attention, particularly parents of young children and older Australians.
