Public Health Association of Australia:

Policy-at-a-glance – Immunisation Policy

Key message: PHAA will –

1. Advise the Australian Government of the need for improved

communication between Government, State Health
Departments and immunisation providers.
2. Advocate for development and implementation of a pro-
active public communication strategy to promote
immunisation.

Summary: Multiple strategies are needed to improve immunisation uptake in

socially disadvantaged communities, communities influenced by anti-
vaccination groups and where coverage is low in specific age groups.

The role of Governments is to lead, inform, regulate, monitor and

enforce strong vaccination policies within communities, workplaces
and healthcare organisations and to encourage people to recognise
the role they play in protecting themselves and others.

Audience: Australian, State and Territory Governments, policy makers, program

managers and immunisation providers.

Responsibility: PHAA’s Immunisation Special Interest Group (SIG).

Date policy adopted: September 2015

Contact: Angela Newbound, Convenor, Immunisation SIG –

Angela.Newbound@yahoo.com

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Immunisation Policy for all Australians
The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) notes:

1. Immunisation remains one of the highest impact and cost-effective public health
interventions, preventing 2-3 million deaths worldwide each year. Ongoing global efforts are
essential as an estimated 21.8 million infants worldwide are still missing out on basic
vaccines i and therefore at risk of disease, disability and death.
2. As of March 2015, 91.0% of Australian children 12 – 15 months of age were considered fully
vaccinated for age ii.
3. Reduction in the incidence of vaccine preventable disease (VPD) through immunisation
reduces the economic and social burden of those diseases. iii
4. The Australian National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides free access to an agreed range
of vaccines designated that have been recommended by the Australian Technical Advisory
Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and endorsed by the National Health and Medical Research
Council (NHMRC). iv
5. There is low childhood immunisation coverage in some areas of Australia v.
6. The PHAA is well positioned to advocate for appropriate policy change which will strengthen
Australia’s vaccination programme; provide expert input into areas which require further
exploration, research and focus; and to ensure that the groups at greatest risk of VPD
continue to receive attention.

The Public Health Association of Australia affirms the following principles:

7. Multiple strategies are needed to improve immunisation uptake in socially disadvantaged

communities, communities influenced by groups opposed to vaccination and where
coverage is low in specific age groups.
8. The role of Governments is to lead, inform, regulate, monitor and enforce strong vaccination
policies within community, workplace and healthcare organisations.
9. Equitable access for all Australians to quality immunisation services provided by health
professionals who have been deemed competent to deliver vaccination in both public and
private sectors will sustain and promote the highest possible immunisation coverage in
children, adolescents and adults.

The Public Health Association of Australia believes that the following steps should be undertaken:

10. Advocate for effective, timely communication between Commonwealth Government and
other stakeholders such as state and local governments and health care providers when
changes to the immunisation program are decided.
11. Despite the general safety and efficacy of vaccines approved for the immunisation program,
some vaccines on rare occasions may be associated with serious adverse events, although
the rate of such events is far less frequent than the VPD complications.. Australia should
therefore adopt a no-fault compensation scheme for Adverse Events Following

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 Immunisation to ensure fairness to those who have experienced a serious vaccine related
adverse event.
12. Address any funding inequity between private and public immunisation providers to
encourage public immunisation providers to continue to provide immunisation services.

The Public Health Association of Australia resolves to undertake the following actions:

The Immunisation Special Interest Group will work with National Office and State and Territory
Branches to -

13. Ensure effective and timely communication occurs in relation to changes to the
immunisation schedule and related resources and appropriate funding for effective
implementation is available.
14. Advocate for State and Territory immunisation programs to develop and implement a pro-
active public communication strategy, to promote the importance of immunisation.

References:

i
World Health Organisation. Health Topics. Immunization Coverage. Accessed 25June 2015
Available from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs378/en/
ii
Australian Government, Immunise Australia, ACIR – Current Data, Accessed 14 June 2015
Available from http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/acir-curr-
data.htm
iii
Department of Health and Ageing. Communicable Diseases Information. Vaccine Preventable Diseases.
Accessed 9 June 2012 Available from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-
pubhlth-strateg-communic-vpd.htm
iv
The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition 2013 Accessed 25 June 2015 Available from
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/Handbook10-home
v
Annual immunisation coverage report 2010. Accessed 25 June 2015 Available from
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cdi3701b