On a recent Tuesday, Dr. McCroary’s clinic in south-western Sydney was full of energy. This exciting environment is a testament to the tireless public health effort to protect us all from COVID-19 and influenza. clientele, from newborns and pregnant women to elderly patients nearing their 100th birthdays. He’s seen, up close, what impacts declining vaccination rates can cause. He points to COVID fatigue and vaccine hesitancy as drivers of this trend, which have hindered his department’s ability to keep the community protected.
As of Thursday, Australia has counted a shocking 102,817 confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 138,000 influenza cases this year alone. The ongoing health crisis is evident as Dr. McCroary recalls treating an eight-week-old baby and a six-month-old infant who both contracted COVID-19. The disturbing increase in cases makes clear that the time to ramp up effective vaccination strategies is now.
Vaccine Hesitancy and Fatigue
Dr. McCroary has made it clear that we need to focus on the reasons behind the reported decrease in vaccination rates. “I’ve had eight-weekers this week with COVID. I’ve had a six-month-old baby with COVID. We’ve had influenza A in kids and older adults as well,” he stated. This underscores how vulnerable all age groups are to the two viruses.
The latest data from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) paints an alarming picture. As of June 22, less than 19 percent of Australians between the ages of 15 and 50 have had their seasonal flu shot. No matter how you slice it, that statistic is deeply, deeply alarming! COVID-19 and influenza remain the most common causes of deaths due to acute respiratory infections in Australia [ 4 ], with 514 and 102 deaths [ 5 ] recorded in January–April, respectively.
Speaking at the London event, infectious disease expert Professor Tony Cunningham urged a new global vigilance against these diseases. “The downside is that COVID doesn’t yet obey the same rules flu does. It doesn’t exclusively occur in winter,” he warned. This unpredictability can leave unimmunised and underimmunised populations dangerously exposed.
The Case for Combined Vaccination
Public health experts have been calling for a combination COVID-influenza vaccine. They hope this will expedite the vaccination process as cases continue to climb. Paul Griffin, a trusted voice in the industry, is convinced this would deliver some serious paybacks. “It’s a concept that’s been carefully assessed before, and you know, one that we’re confident we’ll be able to move forward,” he noted.
Griffin further elaborated that vaccine combinations could create secondary benefits by saving medical waste and time spent at clinic. “There’s a lot of secondary benefits that the majority of people don’t need to be concerned about — in terms of things like consumables and clinic time and medical waste, for example — that could all be benefited by having combination vaccines,” he stated.
Dr. McCroary is in favor of this move, arguing that making their immunisation as easy as possible will increase uptake amongst the public. “Having a combined vaccine is hopefully going to make it a little bit easier, a little more convenient for people to take that step, particularly in the one shot,” he explained.
Flu Season and Implications for Public Health
Flu season down under usually comes to a head between the months of April and October. This year is no exception. Given the current widespread impact of influenza A on children and older adults, health officials are calling for immediate action to raise vaccination rates.
During his closing remarks, Professor Cunningham once again stressed the need to remain on guard during this time. “If that occurs, it can affect the unimmunised or poorly immunised people who might then get very sick and go to hospital, particularly those in aged care,” he cautioned.
Griffin is convinced that improving access to vaccinations has the potential for a wider positive effect on public health than any other intervention he could imagine. “We just hope by making it simpler, easier, potentially cheaper, then that might have a positive impact on uptake, which is certainly nowhere near where it needs to be for either of these pathogens at the moment,” he stated.
