Low vaccination rates put older Aussies at risk

While there are many inequalities across western society, one thing Australians can claim is a relatively equitable health system. Yes, there are undoubtedly differences between private and public healthcare systems, but Medicare helps ensure all Aussies get the basics. Which makes it somewhat surprising to learn that vaccination rates vary wildly depending on the GP. Why would that be so?

The revelation comes from the Grattan Institute, in a new report titled ‘Patchy Protection’. Released earlier this week, the report reveals some GPs have a patient flu vaccination rate as high as 90 per cent. Yet other GPs have a rate of just 40 per cent. It’s a huge – and concerning – discrepancy. Particularly concerning among the report’s findings is that aged care residents despite being at significant risk of severe illness and death from disease, have very low vaccination rates.

Further data analysis shows that vaccinations against conditions other than flu have similar or even wider gaps in rates. Shingles is one example, with rates per GP varying from a high of 85 per cent to a low of just 22 per cent. And for the all-important COVID vaccination, some GPs have a rate of just 16 per cent. The national average is 51 per cent.

So what’s behind these vast chasms, and what can we do about it?

Vaccination – the one rate rise we should all be hoping for

The Grattan Institute’s report notes that even within neighbourhoods, GP patient vaccination rates vary enormously. An instinctive response to this revelation might be to blame the GP in question. However, to do so would likely ignore a number of factors outside that GP’s control.

One of those factors is the language barrier. The report found that GPs with lower vaccination rates typically have more patients who are disadvantaged and struggle with English. These GPs will often charge their patients lower fees, and as a result get less funding.

Other cultural factors besides language are probably also at play. People born in North Africa and the Middle East, for instance are 15-to-25 per cent less likely to be vaccinated. Being born overseas is nearly always associated with lower vaccination, the research authors – Peter Breadon and Anika Stobart – found.

While the reasons for this are difficult to pin down, the report speculates on the more likely causes “These low vaccination rates could be due to a range of factors,” the report states. These include, “discrimination, language barriers, lower health literacy, or higher rates of vaccine hesitancy”. 

Australians who are disadvantaged are also less likely to be vaccinated, the report found. “Our analysis found that people with lower levels of education, or who live in more disadvantaged areas, are much less likely to be vaccinated. People living in outer regional and remote areas are also less likely to be vaccinated.”

Again this seems counterintuitive, as the report states: “This is despite people from disadvantaged areas suffering greater rates of chronic disease and being more than twice as likely to die from potentially preventable causes.”

Older Australians at risk

The report found vaccination rates of Australian aged care residents lagged well behind those in other countries. “In June 2024, only 38 per cent of aged care residents were up to date with their COVID vaccinations,” the report states. “Nearly 100 aged care facilities have had less than 10 per cent of residents vaccinated against COVID in the past year, and a quarter of facilities have less than half of their residents vaccinated.”

This comes across as a failure of monumental proportions, especially when lined up against other western nations. From the report: “Australia’s aged care vaccination rates for COVID are far below those in some similar countries. At the end of the 2023 winter season, Australia had only 54 per cent of aged care residents up to date.” This was a stark contrast to rates in Ireland (82 per cent), and England (90 per cent).

Addressing low vaccination rates

While low vaccination rates in these groups create a huge risk in themselves, the report’s authors believe they’re a symptom of a wider problem. “Groups who need healthcare more having a greater risk of missing out is a systemic problem that goes well beyond vaccination,” they wrote.

The Grattan Institute report has called for an urgent response to what could be argued is a crisis. Their recommended response comprises three pillars:

• The federal government should overhaul the way general practice is funded, to provide more money to GPs in poorer areas with more disadvantaged patients. This would enable those GPs to spend more time with patients to explain and promote vaccination.
• The 31 Primary Health Networks around Australia should give GPs better data, so GPs can easily see how their vaccination rates compare to other clinics in their area that have similar patients.
• Primary Health Networks should give GPs with low vaccination rates the extra help they need. That might include new nursing staff to vaccinate patients, extra training, running vaccination drives in GP clinics, or helping patients book a jab at their pharmacy.

As Peter Breadon and Anika Stobart conclude, “Australia urgently needs to lift its vaccination game.” The ball is now squarely in the court of the Australian government agencies capable of responding appropriately.

Were you aware of Australia’s relatively poor vaccination rates? What vaccination barriers have you identified? Let us know via the comments section below.

Also read: FLuQE variant of COVID takes hold

Health disclaimer: This article contains general information about health issues and is not advice. For health advice, consult your medical practitioner.