Overview

• An NCIRS paper in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health reports coverage has stayed under the 95% goal across all age milestones, falling to 92.7% in 2024 after post‑COVID declines.
• Western Australia’s register data show full immunisation at 90.6% for one‑year‑olds, 87.8% for two‑year‑olds and 92.1% for five‑year‑olds, alongside a sixfold rise in measles, the worst whooping cough levels in nearly a decade and a record flu season exceeding 27,000 cases.
• The National Vaccination Insights survey cites out‑of‑pocket costs, scarce appointments, difficulty finding bulk‑billing providers, travel and time‑off burdens, fewer chances to talk with clinicians and mistrust of vaccine information.
• Researchers recommend expanding bulk billing, offering after‑hours and multiple delivery sites including pharmacies and community clinics, funding provider time for vaccine discussions, improving local data sharing and working with trusted community advocates.
• Officials point to the new National Immunisation Strategy as the framework for action, with experts expecting the permanent Australian Centre for Disease Control to prioritise uptake and warning that US‑driven online misinformation is influencing Australian attitudes as Queensland combats a growing measles outbreak.