In line with this joint statement, the Australian government has now recommended much… This move is a response to the increasing rate of hospitalisations related to the virus. Healthy adults aged 18 to 64 should receive a booster dose every 12 months. To provide the greatest level of protection, Australians aged 75 and over should have their booster every six months. With flu season just around the corner, health experts are sounding the alarm. They recommend co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines and influenza vaccines to maximize public health outcomes.
Recent demographic data further emphasizes the urgency of these recommendations. Just over the last half year, Australia has administered 1.3 million doses of COVID-19 boosters. These vaccinations have only been given to patients 18+ years old. As at 27 February 2023 this has led to an estimated 62,000 hospitalisations and 3,696 deaths due to COVID-19. By way of comparison, just 376 people died from influenza in that time frame. These numbers highlight the continued need for vaccine campaigns as the country continues to learn to live with both viruses.
Importance of COVID-19 Vaccinations
National and global COVID-19 vaccination efforts remain an essential tool in safeguarding the most vulnerable among us. The federal government is now recommending that anyone 65 and older receive a booster shot. They further advise that individuals at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 get vaccinated first. COVID-19 remains a significant risk, with more serious illness and increased hospitalization in comparison to influenza. This new reality requires an urgent and preemptive stance toward vaccination.
Associate Professor Nick Scott noted, “COVID-19 can lead to a range of health complications and results in more hospitalisations and deaths every year than influenza.” His announcement underscores the real urgency to increase vaccination rates across the country.
Furthermore, Scott supports proposals to combine COVID-19 booster shots with the annual influenza vaccine. He stated, “By offering a COVID-19 booster vaccination alongside the annual influenza vaccination, we could aim to achieve similar vaccination coverage for COVID-19 as influenza, which would make a meaningful difference in reducing hospital admissions and deaths.”
New Study Supports Concurrent Vaccination
In a new study, mathematical models helped uncover some promising insights. Further, it illustrates how COVID-19 boosters co-administered with flu vaccinations can significantly lower the odds of hospitalization due to COVID-19 by over 70%. Our research proves that when it comes to vaccination, timing makes all the difference. The share of the total population that’s being boosted is more important.
Fenella McAndrew, a mathematical modeller and co-author of the study, explained, “Unlike influenza, COVID-19 doesn’t have a well-defined season, and when we modelled different scenarios, the percentage of people receiving booster vaccinations was more important than the timing of the vaccination.” This implication means that a combined and coordinated vaccination campaign like the one in 2021 could broadly suppress the effects of both viruses.
The research further suggested that it doesn’t matter what time people go to get vaccinated — any designated time is an advantage. Health experts are encouraging Australians to take the opportunity to receive a dual COVID flu vaccination. They are preparing for an early and severe onslaught of seasonal illnesses.
Vaccination Rates and Public Health Strategies
At present, annual vaccination coverage for influenza remains poorly low, with just 32 percent to Australia. Health officials are working to combat the low vaccination rates. They’re taking it further by launching awareness campaigns that frame the combined approach as a more beneficial choice to strengthen public engagement.
We know that the COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective, including providing 85 percent protection against severe disease. That’s about 22 percent better than the influenza vaccine, which only offers about 44 percent efficacy against hospitalization. This striking disparity only serves to further highlight the continued need to protect vaccine use with the greatest reach possible, including all age groups.
With flu season upon us, health officials are preparing for another wave of COVID-19 infections. Australians need to be mindful about their health choices and what they support more than ever. By opting for both vaccinations concurrently, they can play an active role in safeguarding their health and that of their communities.
