Australians urged to “Have the Jab Chat” with their GP to help cut through vaccine misinformation

The AMA has launched a national social media campaign encouraging Australians to speak with their doctor about vaccination, with widespread misinformation creating uncertainty, and fuelling declining immunisation rates. 

Launched ahead of World Immunisation Week, the Have the jab chat campaign responds to growing confusion about where Australians are getting their health information — and how that information is influencing decisions about vaccination. 

“When it comes to vaccination, Australians deserve advice that is qualified, personalised and confidential — they deserve a doctor,” Dr McMullen said. 

Australia’s vaccination rates have declined since the COVID‑19 pandemic, with coverage for key childhood vaccines now falling below the 95 per cent level needed for strong community protection. The trends outlined in the AMA’s immunisation report highlight sustained declines in vaccination coverage across age groups. 

“Misinformation spreads faster than facts online, and increasingly sophisticated content — including deepfakes — can make unreliable information sound credible,” Dr McMullen said. “That creates real confusion for people who are genuinely trying to make the right decision about their health.” 

Dr McMullen said that while governments had expanded vaccine delivery to more healthcare professionals, access was not the core issue, and this approach had not increased uptake. 

“These retail pathways are largely reaching Australians who are already willing to be vaccinated, while the real decline is coming from people delaying or deferring due to uncertainty and information overload.

“That’s where general practice plays a critical role, with a strong track record of improving vaccination rates through trusted relationships and continuity of care that supports informed, confident decisions.” 

Dr McMullen said many Australians were not rejecting vaccines but were delaying or questioning vaccination as they try to make sense of conflicting information from different sources. 

“We know many Australians are turning to AI tools and online searches for health advice,” she said. “But those tools can’t look at your medical history, understand your personal risks, or give you the context you deserve — and they’re not always accurate or validated. AI can give you an answer, but it can’t give you your answer.

“This campaign is designed to encourage and support Australians, who feel unsure or overwhelmed, to access advice they can trust. Australians deserve advice that is trustworthy, tailored to them and delivered in a confidential setting — and that’s exactly what a conversation with a doctor provides.

“Doctors bring more than a decade of medical training, an understanding of a patient’s health history, and the clinical judgement needed to assess individual risk and vaccine eligibility — particularly for people with underlying conditions or higher risk factors. 

“A conversation with your doctor can also create opportunities for ‘while you’re here’ moments — supporting prevention, chronic disease management, mental health, or medication reviews. In many cases, one conversation can lead to earlier intervention and lifelong health benefits.” 

Visit: www.havethejabchat.com