The Decline of Adolescent Vaccination Rates in Australia
Australia has a successful adolescent immunisation program, routinely achieving high vaccine coverage for teenagers. However, recent data shows the number of Australian teens receiving the recommended vaccines for their age group has fallen over three years during the COVID pandemic.
The Vaccines Teens Need – and Why They Need Them
The National Immunisation Program provides a series of free vaccinations for Australian teenagers. These are:
- a booster vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (dTpa), usually offered in year 7
- the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, also usually offered in year 7
- a meningococcal ACWY vaccine, offered in year 10
These vaccines protect teenagers themselves from diseases, but also help reduce the spread of these diseases in the community.
A Modest but Concerning Decline
The most recent Annual Immunisation Coverage Report from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) shows a drop in vaccination coverage among teenagers between 2022 and 2023, while the previous report shows a drop from 2021 to 2022.
For example, the proportion of teens who had received their adolescent dose of dTpa in the year they turned 15 decreased from 87.3% in 2021, to 86.9% in 2022, to 85.5% in 2023.
Meanwhile, the proportion who had received one dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine by age 17 fell from 76.1% in 2021 to 75.9% in 2022, to 72.8% in 2023.
Why is Vaccination Coverage Decreasing Among Teenagers?
There are likely to be many contributing factors.
Although extended school closures and consequent disruption to school vaccination programs at the height of the pandemic likely played a role, these occurred almost exclusively in Victoria and New South Wales. So they can’t fully explain the ongoing drop in adolescent vaccination coverage across the country.
We don’t have good published data on what influences vaccine acceptance among teenagers. But given parents or guardians need to complete a consent form for their child to get vaccinated at school, we may be able to extrapolate from some of the challenges relating to childhood vaccination uptake.
The trends among teenagers have been consistent with a fall in the rates of younger children who are fully vaccinated. In 2023, 92.8% of one-year-olds were fully vaccinated, down from 94.8% in 2020. At five years old, the coverage rate in 2023 was 93.3%, down also from 94.8% in 2020.
How Can We Improve Things? And What Can Parents Do?
We need research to better understand the factors influencing vaccine uptake among adolescents. This can help us design and implement strategies to improve vaccination coverage in this age group.
For example, understanding the factors influencing HPV vaccination uptake among Indigenous adolescents and ensuring equitable access to targeted and culturally appropriate HPV vaccine education strategies has significantly improved vaccination coverage for this group. HPV vaccine coverage for Indigenous women aged 17 to 25 is now higher than for the general population.
Parents can support their teenagers by talking to them about the importance of immunisation, listening to their concerns, and answering any questions they may have. Consent forms will generally include information about the vaccine and the disease it protects against.
If your child misses out on receiving their vaccinations at school or doesn’t attend school, families can access free National Immunisation Program vaccines from their GP, pharmacy, local council, or other health services.
Specialist immunisation services are also available in most states and territories for children and adolescents who are in high-risk groups or for families who are concerned about vaccinating their children.
Conclusion
The decline in adolescent vaccination rates is concerning, as it leaves more teenagers and members of the wider community vulnerable to serious infectious diseases. It is essential to address the factors influencing vaccine uptake among teenagers to improve vaccination coverage in this age group. Parents can play a crucial role by talking to their teenagers about the importance of immunisation and addressing any concerns they may have. By working together, we can overcome the challenges and ensure that all teenagers are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
FAQs
Q: Why is vaccination coverage decreasing among teenagers?
A: There are likely to be many contributing factors, including changes in school vaccination programs, concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness, and practical access barriers.
Q: What can parents do to support their teenagers in getting vaccinated?
A: Parents can talk to their teenagers about the importance of immunisation, listen to their concerns, and answer any questions they may have. They can also encourage their teenagers to get vaccinated and provide support for them in doing so.
Q: What options are available for families who cannot access vaccines through school or do not attend school?
A: Families can access free National Immunisation Program vaccines from their GP, pharmacy, local council, or other health services. Specialist immunisation services are also available in most states and territories for children and adolescents who are in high-risk groups or for families who are concerned about vaccinating their children.
