Vaccination Rates Slip Across Childhood Age Groups, Sparking Concerns for Aussie Families

New interim data from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) has revealed a worrying trend—vaccination rates across Australia are continuing to decline, especially among children and teens.

Vaccination Rates Slip Across Childhood Age Groups, Sparking Concerns for Aussie Families

The early findings, drawn from the Australian Immunisation Register, show that since the COVID-19 pandemic, childhood immunisation coverage has dipped and still hasn’t bounced back.

Vaccines due at older ages are more likely to be delayed, with 1 in 3 kids receiving their first measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) shot late and 1 in 5 getting their second dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) late.

Teenagers are also missing vital vaccines, with 2 in 10 not receiving their HPV dose by age 15, and 3 in 10 missing their meningococcal ACWY shot by 17.

Even flu vaccinations, which are freely available under the National Immunisation Program for young children and older adults, saw low uptake across the board in 2024.

Experts warn that falling behind on immunisations leaves communities vulnerable to serious diseases and say the focus now needs to be on catch-up programs, removing access barriers, and making sure all Australians can stay protected.

The full NCIRS Annual Immunisation Coverage Report for 2024 is expected later this year.

For more information, visit NCIRS.

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