Immunised against influenza—aged 50 and over (PI14)

This indicator is the proportion of Indigenous regular clients aged 50 and over who had an influenza immunisation within the previous 12 months. It is collected for males and females.

Why immunisation against influenza is important

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory disease that causes seasonal epidemics in Australia. Anyone can be infected with influenza but some people, such as Indigenous Australians, have a higher chance of serious illness and complications, such as pneumonia. Some people with influenza die as a result of their infection. Annual vaccination is the best way to prevent severe infections, hospitalisation and death due to influenza.

While immunisation against influenza is recommended for all Indigenous Australians aged 6 months and over, it is particularly important for those who are at a greater risk of complications, such as those aged 50 and over. Influenza vaccination substantially reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death from influenza and pneumonia for older Indigenous Australians (AIHW 2018).

At June 2020, 42% of Indigenous regular clients aged 50 and over had an influenza immunisation within the previous 12 months.

Immunised against influenza—aged 50 and over, by reporting period

This data visualisation shows the percentage of Indigenous regular clients aged 50 and over who had an influenza immunisation in the last year by reporting period (June 2017, December 2017, June 2018, December 2018 and June 2019).

Data supporting this visualisation are available in Excel supplementary data tables at Data.

This was highest in:

  • the Northern Territory (49%)
  • Very remote areas (50%)
  • Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) (42%).

It was lowest in:

  • New South Wales/the Australian Capital Territory (combined, 36%)
  • Inner regional areas (37%)
  • organisations other than Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (non-ACCHOs) (40%).

Immunised against influenza—aged 50 and over, by either state/territory, remoteness or organisation type, reporting period

Two data visualisations are presented here. The first shows the percentage of Indigenous regular clients aged 50 and over who had an influenza immunisation in the last year for either:

  • state/territory (NSW/ACT, Vic, Qld, WA, SA, Tas, NT, Australia)
  • remoteness area (Major cities, Inner regional, Outer regional, Remote, Very remote, Australia)
  • organisation type (ACCHO, non-ACCHO, Total).

Reporting periods of either June 2017, December 2017, June 2018, December 2018, June 2019, December 2019, or June 2020 can be selected.

The second visualisation shows the selected information from the first visualisation by sex (male, female).

Data supporting this visualisation are available in Excel supplementary data tables at Data.

Reference

AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) 2018. Vaccine-preventable diseases fact sheets. Cat no. PHE 236. Canberra: AIHW.