There is no better time for West Australians to take advantage of the free flu jab, with offers running until the end of June. The state still ranks below the national average for how many children are vaccinated. According to the latest figures from Western Australia, influenza vaccination uptake is still well under 10% for all age groups under age 65. This very scary trend points to an even bigger public health problem.
As of May 4, less than 1.8 percent of children ages five to 15 have been vaccinated against flu. This shocking 15 percent figure does not show that WA has the lowest vaccination rates in the whole country. This is deeply relevant to people under 65 years of age right around Australia. Public officials encourage residents to take their health in their own hands. They encourage vaccination against influenza as well as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which presents a significant risk to young children.
Contributing Factors to Low Uptake
Professor Chris Blyth, an expert in infectious diseases, attributes the low uptake of the flu vaccine primarily to “vaccine hesitancy.” He pointed out that this has continued despite the community’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve come through a really tumultuous time through COVID,” – Professor Chris Blyth
This hesitancy is especially concerning. Flu is a dangerous illness that puts hundreds of thousands in the hospital annually, killing both children and adults. Blyth implored the audience to address these myths head on. He continued, “They’re not afraid of the flu. It’s important that they are.”
Importance of Vaccination
Public health officials are hard at work reminding people that there is no excuse keeping people from getting an influenza vaccine. Professor Blyth reiterated this point, asserting, “There’s no reason why people can’t access an influenza vaccine.” Access to free vaccinations through community health services, pharmacies and GP practices will reduce the risk of infection from both influenza and RSV.
Further, RSV is uniquely the leading cause for hospitalization for infants during their first year of life. Getting vaccinated against flu is one of the best ways to protect the most vulnerable populations, including young kids and those with weakened immune systems.
Call to Action
Health authorities are moving swiftly to counteract these statistics and experts’ judgments. That’s why they are mobilizing a huge, joint campaign to get the word out about flu vaccination. They are encouraging West Australians to follow suit and take early action by getting vaccinated before influenza season hits its peak.
Professor Blyth concluded with a call for action, stating, “We are lagging behind as a country — we’re not doing as well as we usually do in influenza vaccine uptake.” We need to act now to quickly and significantly increase vaccination rates. Flu jab free program runs to the end of June, so act now!
