"We're lagging behind": GPs urgently call on NSW Government to expand vaccination access

GPs are calling on the New South Wales Government to urgently expand free vaccination access state-wide, including an upcoming intranasal influenza vaccine for young children.  

It comes following the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) NSW/ACT Chair, Dr Rebekah Hoffman, writing to the state’s Health Minister, the Hon. Ryan Park MP, ahead of the College’s GPs@Parliament event on 17 September this year. The RACGP is calling for expanded access to vaccinations, including full funding of influenza vaccination for high-risk groups, intranasal influenza vaccines for children aged two to five years, Meningococcal B vaccines for those aged two years and under as well as 15–19-year-old groups, and funding for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for those aged over 50. 

Dr Hoffman urged the Government to help protect patients at a time when the NSW Health Respiratory Surveillance Report still lists influenza at “a high level of activity”. 

“Our entire health system is under pressure, and expanding vaccine access will save lives,” she said. 

“Vaccination is the best way to stop illnesses, including the flu, from spreading in our communities. The flu vaccine is free for certain patients under the National Immunisation Program, or NIP; however, that doesn’t go far enough. So, if we can vaccinate more people, particularly those at high-risk, we can help stop more patients ending up in hospital – or worse. 

“We will have an intranasal flu vaccine available next year. So, funding access to this new vaccine for children aged two to five years will help relieve the stresses many parents and carers will be all to mindful of when it comes to giving small children an injection. This is a significant step forward, as young kids can be particularly vulnerable to the severe effects of the flu. The technology will be available; we just need to help more families access this potentially life-saving care. 

“At a time when many households are still facing high cost of living pressures, and having to make impossible decisions between buying groceries, filling up the car, or seeking healthcare – the price of any vaccine can prove a roadblock. We know what to do – let’s fund flu vaccinations for those at higher risk, as well as Meningococcal B vaccines for at-risk populations, and RSV vaccines for those aged over fifty.” 

The RACGP NSW/ACT Chair said that the time to act was now. 

“We know what works; we just need the political will to make it happen,” she said. 

“Stopping the spread of these viruses and boosting vaccination rates, including for the flu, relieves pressure on our entire healthcare system, including our hospitals.” 

Dr Hoffman also called for patients across New South Wales to roll up their sleeves. 

“Complacency can prove costly,” she said. 

“Placing blame won’t get us anywhere, let’s work together. After the very successful roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccines, a level of ‘vaccine fatigue’ may have unfortunately set in, with some people not as concerned about other health conditions like the flu, as well as RSV, Meningococcal B and pertussis, or ‘whooping cough’, and more. Those illnesses haven’t gone away, and they can have severe health impacts. 

“In my home state, less than a quarter of kids aged under five and fewer than 60% of patients aged over 65 are vaccinated against the flu. So, for those key patient groups, we’re lagging the national average, and we must reverse this trend. Please spread the word to people in your life to take vaccinations seriously. That includes the flu, which is not a minor illness; it’s a serious virus and must be treated as such.” 

Earlier this year, The College called on patients to protect themselves and others against the flu to minimise the risks of further increases in case numbers and hospitalisations in the peak winter months. 

~ENDS 

RACGP spokespeople are available for interviews: 03 8699 0992 / [email protected].