With winter on our doorstep, Western Australia is lagging behind the rest of the country with its flu vaccination rates.
Figures from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Australia show WA has some of the lowest rates of vaccination against the flu across all age ranges.
WA has the nation’s lowest rate of flu vaccinations for those aged six months to five years old (13.9%) and those from 15-50 years old (10.5%).
The rate for 5-15-year-olds and those above 50 is only lower in the Northern Territory.
Some 19% of 50-65 year olds in WA have had their shot, while 46.5% of those older than 65 in WA have. Both are 4% lower than the national average rate.
At the same time, WA has recorded about twice as many flu cases so far this year compared to the same period last year.
AMA (WA) President Dr Michael Page said the low rates of vaccination against the flu were worrying.
“Vaccination rates are on the decline, especially childhood vaccination rates,” he said.
“We can’t get meaningful rates of flu vaccination in any age group, except perhaps the over 65s, on an annual basis now and so we’re not getting herd immunity for the flu.”
Dr Page said he would like to see research into the reasons behind reducing vaccination rates in WA.
“The government should fund research on why we have lower vaccination rates than other states so that we can understand the causes, we can understand how to address it,” he said.
It is not just the flu shot that people are avoiding. Measles, which had been eradicated on a local level, is making a resurgence in the community.
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Dr Page said understanding the reasons why people do not get vaccinated could assist the creation of a messaging strategy around it.
The State Government’s free flu vaccination program began in May, with free flu shots for anyone aged between five and 65 not eligible under the National Immunisation Program.
As of 28 May, 6863 cases of influenza had been reported in WA in 2025.
RELATED: Free flu vaccinations in WA this winter
When announcing the program Minister for Health Meredith Hammat noted there had been an increase in the number of flu-related hospitalisations in recent years.
“With winter approaching I encourage our community to take up this opportunity and get vaccinated,” she said.
“The northern hemisphere has experienced a severe flu season, which had significant impacts on hospitals and people’s ability to access timely health care.
“We don’t want to see that here – let’s do what we can to stay healthy this winter.”
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