Urgent action needed to tackle declining immunisation rates
The Australian Medical Association is calling for immediate action to combat vaccine hesitancy and reverse declining immunisation rates across the country.
The AMA’s new report — From coverage to concern: a policy analysis of Australia’s immunisation decline — highlights a worrying drop in vaccination rates across child, adolescent and adult programs, as well as seasonal flu vaccination.
AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen warned misinformation and anti-science sentiment were eroding public trust. Other contributors to a decline in vaccination rates include vaccine fatigue and competing demands on time.
“Immunisation is the most successful and cost-effective health intervention globally, preventing between two and three million deaths a year,” Dr McMullen said.
“We are seeing increasing global conversations about vaccine hesitancy, and it is putting lives at risk. Unfortunately, Australia is not immune, and it is deeply concerning to see declining rates here, especially among children.”
Vaccines have saved countless lives in Australia, reducing deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases by 99 per cent. Yet coverage has slipped in recent years, threatening public health and straining the healthcare system.
Dr McMullen said declining vaccination rates had far-reaching consequences, with preventable diseases re-emerging, driving up hospital admissions and stretching emergency departments.
“Our hospitals are already in logjam, operating at or above capacity, and yet nearly 10 per cent of preventable admissions are linked to vaccine-preventable illnesses,” Dr McMullen said.
“Declining coverage doesn’t just strain our emergency departments — it risks the re‑emergence of serious diseases like measles, with life‑altering complications, and even undermines Australia’s world‑leading success in turning the tide on cervical cancer through HPV vaccination. We cannot afford to see that progress undone.
“We must act now to strengthen public health initiatives and lift vaccine coverage across all age groups. Because vaccines aren’t just about stopping a sniffle — they are about saving lives.”
The AMA is urging government to rebuild trust in vaccines through general practice.
“General practitioners are uniquely placed to help turn the tide,” Dr McMullen said. “They are trusted voices in their communities and play a pivotal role in encouraging vaccination.”
To support this, our report highlights the need for greater investment in general practice, including increased funding for the Workforce Incentive Program, to expand access to immunisation services through GPs and practice nurses.
Dr McMullen urged Australians who were unsure about vaccinations to seek advice from their family GP.
“A simple conversation with your GP can protect your family, strengthen your community, and save lives.”
