A report released today by the Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare (AIHW) indicates that 77% of Australians aged 65 years
and older received an influenza vaccination in 2003, the rate of
coverage remaining steady from the previous year.
The report, 2003 Influenza Vaccine Survey: Summary
results, presents influenza vaccination coverage rates derived
from the responses of almost 8,000 Australians aged 40 years and
older.
The influenza vaccination rate for people aged 40-64 years was
22%. Some 45% of Australians aged 40-64 years with risk factors for
influenza (such as diabetes and other chronic conditions) were
vaccinated. Both these results reflect increases in influenza
vaccination rates over the previous year.
Among Australia's 146,200 residents of aged care facilities aged
65 years and older, an estimated 87% were vaccinated against
influenza last year.
The report also provides information on the uptake of the
Australian Government's program to fund free influenza vaccine for
Australians aged 65 years and older. The National Influenza Vaccine
Program for Older Australians provides for one influenza vaccine
dose to be administered free of charge to each member of this
target group - about 2.5 million Australians - for whom
participation in the program is voluntary. The program is an
Australian Government initiative designed to help reduce the impact
of influenza amongst older Australians by improving access to free
vaccine.
Report author David Batts from the AIHW said, of the 77% or 1.9
million people aged 65 and over who received the influenza
vaccination, 1.8 million or 93% received vaccine through the
Australian Government's Influenza Vaccine Program for Older
Australians.
'This means that overall, 72% of Australians in the 65-plus
target group participated in the program in 2003, a slightly higher
rate of participation than the previous year.
'By the end of April, just over 75% of vaccinations for the
target group had been completed, with more than 65% of all flu
shots given in March and April.
'The high vaccination coverage rate for people over 65 years
helps to reduce the burden of more intensive health services and
deaths resulting from complications of the disease.
'These results are a timely reminder that all Australians should
talk to their GP or immunisation provider now about vaccination for
this year's influenza season.'
10 March 2004
Further information: David Batts, AIHW, tel. 02
6289 8515
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 02 6244 1032
Availability: Check the AIHW
Publications Catalogue for availability of 2003 Influenza
Vaccine Survey: Summary Results - March 2004.