Report on Vaccination Status for Priority Groups

In response to declining adult influenza vaccination rates in Australia, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted an Adult Vaccination Survey in 2024. The survey aimed to understand vaccination behaviours and attitudes, particularly among those with chronic conditions such as lung disease, to inform policy recommendations. Based on the findings, we developed five key recommendations for government action:

1. Implement adult vaccination targets.
2. Recognise Australians with lung disease as a priority group.
3. Invest in co-designed vaccination awareness campaigns and education.
4. Support primary care to meet the vaccination needs of adults.
5. Make clinically recommended vaccinations free.

Additionally, in our submission to the National Immunisation Strategy (NIS) 2025–2030, we emphasised the need for improved data linkage and public access to data to monitor vaccine uptake in priority populations. The NIS identifies several priority populations for vaccination, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, rural and remote residents, and individuals with clinical risk factors. Our vaccination survey gathered data from these populations. The objective of this report was to detail Lung Foundation Australia data and the publicly available data that exists on vaccination for these priority groups. The aim is to better understand vaccination status in these groups and determine data gaps. The analysis found significant challenges in vaccine uptake, especially among First Nations Australians and those in rural areas. Pneumococcal vaccination rates were sub-optimal across all priority groups. The findings prompted two new LFA recommendations:

1. Create publicly accessible dashboards of immunisation data with granular breakdowns by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status and geography.
2. Expand data linkage between the Australian Immunisation Register and census data for better monitoring of vaccine uptake in at-risk groups.

These recommendations, aligned with the NIS focus on equity and data use, aim to strengthen the understanding and delivery of adult vaccinations in Australia, especially for those most at risk.