Collaboration and HTA reform are key to improving vaccination rates in Australia: Parliamentary Friends of Medicine Future of Vaccines event

Collaboration and HTA reform are key to improving vaccination rates in Australia: Parliamentary Friends of Medicine Future of Vaccines event

21 November 2024: Recognising the full value that vaccines deliver to society and ensuring equitable access to affordable vaccines will be crucial to increasing vaccination rates as a preventive measure to fight diseases in Australia, experts have told Parliamentarians this week.

The Parliamentary Friends of Medicine 'Future of Vaccines' event, co-Chaired by the Hon. Dr David Gillespie MP and Dr Mike Freelander MP and hosted by Medicines Australia's Vaccines Industry Group, examined existing and emerging infectious diseases, novel vaccines in development, and the barriers and opportunities to vaccine access and uptake in Australia.

Reflecting on his experience as a paediatrician earlier in his career, Dr Freelander said thousands of children suffered from measles and polio before affordable vaccines were available.

"We have forgotten what it's like to have widespread infectious disease in the community," he said.

Dr Andrew Minton, CEO of the Immunisation Coalition discussed changing perceptions and value of vaccines by Australians and declining vaccination rates, with new research showing vaccination rates among children in Australia have declined for the third consecutive year, and protection against influenza and shingles declining in adults.1

"There is misinformation about the effectiveness of vaccines, access issues in regional and remote Australia, cultural consideration, language barriers and post COVID-19 fatigue. We need factual, clear messaging repeatedly to target groups who are high at risk to address these key issues," Dr Minton said.

Professor Terry Nolan AO FAHMS, a paediatrician and clinical epidemiologist discussed the importance of recognising the full value and benefit of vaccines, particularly as new vaccines become available.

"The so-called post-COVID vaccine hesitancy in Australia is less a result of diminished trust in the vaccines themselves, and more a growing indifference and resistance to their perceived potential benefits both by consumers and healthcare professionals," Prof Nolan said.

"During the next five years, it is possible that we will see a number of new vaccines that will address conditions we may not have even imagined a few years ago. The HTA Review has highlighted near-term achievable improvement in our processes, with nearly halving of the time required for a funding decision."

Medicines Australia CEO Liz de Somer said collaboration and getting on with HTA Reform are key to improving vaccination rates in Australia.

"Immunisation is key to primary health. We know that preventing illness and reducing transmission of communicable diseases reduces costs in other areas of the health system."

"It is important Government, industry and other stakeholders work together to address declining vaccination rates given the significant benefit that vaccines provide society, from improved health and wellbeing to productivity and the overall economy."

"Prior to COVID, vaccination rates were increasing, so we know the decline in trust is relatively new and can be rebuilt."
"Delays in making new vaccines available on the NIP are also costing the nation. The HTA Review has made clear recommendations to improve the time it takes for vaccines to be assessed and made available on the National Immunisation Program."

"The current delay from TGA registration to PBS listing of vaccines is an average time of 1,375 days or nearly four years, which is unacceptable. It's time to get on with HTA reform."

Footnote: 1 - Annual Immunisation Coverage Report 2023, National Centre for Immunisation research and Surveillance Australia, https://ncirs.org.au/ongoing-decline-childhood-immunisation-rates-sparks-concerns

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