A wake-up call for Australia's health system: The recent surge in pertussis cases has reached a 35-year high, and the numbers are alarming. But here's where it gets controversial...
New data reveals a direct link between declining childhood immunisation rates and the highest whooping cough notifications since national monitoring began. This trend is not isolated; it's a nationwide concern across all states and territories.
The Productivity Commission's Report on Government Services paints a worrying picture. In 2024-25, the proportion of fully immunised children under the National Immunisation Program was at its lowest since 2015-16. Specifically, only 91.6% of one-year-olds, 89.8% of two-year-olds, and 93.3% of five-year-olds were fully vaccinated.
And this is the part most people miss: The number of whooping cough notifications per 100,000 children skyrocketed to 792.1 in 2024-25, the highest since records began in 1991.
The Productivity Commission attributes this to a combination of factors, including decreasing vaccination coverage, waning immunity, and reduced exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among children up to 14 years old, the vaccination rates for various diseases last year were:
- Pertussis: 792.1 per 100,000 children, a significant jump from 2023-24's rate of 201.2 per 100,000.
- Measles: 0.5 per 100,000 children, consistent with the average annual rate over the past decade.
- Haemophilus influenzae type b: 0.1 per 100,000 children, a steady rate since 2022-23.
The situation is similarly concerning for seasonal influenza, with only 58.4% of people aged 65 and over vaccinated, and an even lower rate of 56.6% among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Associate Professor Paul Griffin, an infectious diseases expert, calls these figures "alarming and concerning." He emphasizes that even subtle reductions in vaccination rates over time lead to substantial changes in population immunity and, consequently, increased risks.
Professor Griffin argues that while better diagnostics and awareness of pertussis may contribute to the rise in reported numbers, it doesn't explain the magnitude of the increase. He believes the drop in vaccination rates is directly tied to the surge in whooping cough cases, especially considering the vaccine's proven effectiveness.
"The risk of infection and poor outcomes for those who haven't been vaccinated due to age or immune system issues should be a wake-up call for everyone," he says.
Last year was a challenging year for influenza, with the emergence of the new Subclade K strain. Professor Griffin highlights that declining flu vaccine rates across most age groups significantly alter population susceptibility. While the flu vaccine may not prevent infection, it moderates the severity of illness, reducing hospitalisations.
"Our health system is finite in resources and often stretched. Higher flu vaccination rates could keep a significant portion of the population out of hospitals and GP clinics, improving system efficiency and capacity," he explains.
Professor Griffin acknowledges that influenza is often underestimated, especially post-COVID, but stresses the need to address it more aggressively. He also raises concerns about the spread of misinformation, including from within the medical field, calling it a "huge concern."
"We must ensure people get reliable information from trusted sources like GPs, pharmacists, and nurses to make informed decisions about vaccination. We need to work together to educate the population and improve vaccine uptake," he concludes.
What are your thoughts on this critical issue? Do you think Australia's vaccination rates are a cause for concern? Feel free to share your opinions and experiences in the comments below!
