The results of a vaccination survey released today by the
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) show that 79% of
Australians aged 65 years and older received an influenza
vaccination in 2004, and just over half were vaccinated against
pneumococcal disease.
The 2004 Adult Vaccination Survey: Summary Results presents
influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage rates derived from
the responses of almost 7,500 Australians aged 18 years and
older.
The survey is part of the regular annual review of the
Australian Government's National Influenza Vaccine Program for
Older Australians, which provides for one voluntary influenza dose
to be administered free of charge to each Australian resident aged
65 and over.
'Of the 2.6 million Australians in the 65-plus target group, and
therefore entitled to a free flu shot, 1.9 million or 73% were
vaccinated under the program in 2004, up slightly from the previous
year's participation rate,' said AIHW report author David
Batts.
Those in the target group who were vaccinated, but not under the
Program, paid for their vaccine (to a pharmacist or other provider)
or received vaccine provided free from their employer or another
source.
For residents of aged care facilities aged 65 years and older, an
estimated 86% were vaccinated against influenza last year.
By the end of April 2004, 78% of vaccinations for the target
group had been completed.
The 2004 Survey included, for the first time, questions on
pneumococcal vaccination to establish a coverage baseline for
future evaluation of the Australian Government's National
Pneumococcal Vaccination Program for Older Australians, which
started on 1 January 2005. As with the influenza Program, it
provides free vaccine to Australian residents aged 65 and over.
'The survey found that 1.3 million or 51% of Australians in this
age group were vaccinated against pneumococcal disease,' Mr Batts
said.
'People in the 65-plus age group are at increased risk from both
influenza and pneumococcal disease and the release of these survey
results provides a timely reminder to this group of their
entitlements to these free vaccines, with the high-risk season for
these diseases approaching.'
24 March 2005
Further information: Mr David Batts, AIHW, tel:
02 6289 8515; For program-related queries, Ms Jennie McDowell, tel:
02 6289 5397.
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, tel. 02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability of the 2004 Adult Vaccination
Survey: Summary Results, March 2005.