A 91色情片 medical researcher says fewer Australians are getting vaccinated, with the decline hitting some communities harder than others.
As Australia heads into another flu season, a 91色情片 Sydney researcher says vaccination rates are falling across the population 鈥撀爓ith continued inequities in vaccine coverage for some communities.
91色情片 social scientist Professor Holly Seale specialises in vaccination and health equity. She says among some culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, the risk of ending up in hospital due to a vaccine-preventable disease is higher 鈥 and the issue is not as simple as being vaccine hesitant.
鈥淚f services aren鈥檛 easy to navigate, if information isn鈥檛 in your language, or if there鈥檚 a lack of trusted voices, people can miss out,鈥 Prof. Seale says. 鈥淓ven when vaccines are free.鈥
For older Australians in particular, she says the risks go beyond a bad bout of illness.
鈥淔lu isn鈥檛 just a few days in bed for many older people,鈥 says Prof. Seale.
鈥淚t can be the difference between living independently and needing ongoing care.
鈥淲e see people go from being at home to requiring residential care after a respiratory infection.鈥
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The role of community
In 2025, the NSW Government $15 million over four years to boost vaccination rates among priority populations.
The program funds local organisations such as migrant resource centres, multicultural groups and community radio stations to work directly with their communities 鈥 as 鈥榗onnectors鈥 for immunisation.
Staff members are trained to share information in culturally appropriate ways, help people understand what vaccines they are eligible for and explain how to access them.
Prof. Seale has been working alongside NSW Health to develop the online training and resources for these staff, drawing on behavioural science and community engagement strategies.
鈥淧eople are far more likely to act on information that comes from someone they know and trust,鈥 she says.
鈥淭his could be a community leader, a local organisation, or even a family member.鈥
One organisation involved in the program, the (CMRC), says the training has helped staff engage communities in more practical and culturally safe ways.
鈥淭he training was extremely comprehensive, informative and well-structured,鈥 says Aurelia Rahman, Head of Community Engagement and Relations at CMRC.
鈥淎 significant amount of time was dedicated to understanding vaccine information, communication strategies, addressing misinformation, alongside ways to engage communities effectively.鈥
People are far more likely to act on information that comes from someone they know and trust ... a community leader, a local organisation, or even a family member.
CMRC has since delivered vaccination awareness sessions across multicultural communities on childhood vaccinations, adolescent vaccinations and healthy ageing.
The organisation has also partnered with local groups to run sessions at community gatherings, seniors鈥 groups, women鈥檚 groups and multicultural events.
In one example, a Community Connector participated in an interview on an Afghan radio station to encourage listeners to seek trusted health information about vaccines.
The organisation says the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
鈥淢any community members expressed appreciation for receiving information in a culturally safe and accessible way, particularly when sessions were delivered in their native language or supported by interpreters or community leaders,鈥 says Immunisation Project Coordinator and CMRC Multicultural Ambassador Shikha Arora.
The CMRC reported a greater willingness among community members to speak with GPs and healthcare providers about vaccination and preventative health.
鈥淪ome groups have shown interest in having community pharmacists attend their meetings or community sessions to provide on-site flu vaccinations,鈥 Ms Arora says.
鈥淭his demonstrates growing engagement and trust in vaccination services,鈥 she says.
鈥淥verall, the program has contributed to greater awareness, more open conversations around vaccination and stronger community engagement with health services.鈥
Spreading the message
With Australia鈥檚 flu season now underway, vaccination remains the most effective prevention for severe illness 鈥 particularly for young children, pregnant women, older adults and those with underlying health conditions.
But with coverage rates down, the country is more exposed than it should be.
Prof. Seale says this raises concerns about preventable hospitalisations and long-term complications.
Improving vaccination rates means making vaccines easier to access, ensuring information is clear and culturally appropriate 鈥撀燼nd it means working with communities, not just targeting them.
Australians aged 65+ years can receive the influenza for free. As of May 15, anyone aged 75+ years can also receive the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine for free, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people eligible from the age of 60.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can be dangerous for adults who have certain medical conditions, are elderly or frail, or live in a nursing home.
鈥淲ith the RSV vaccine now available for free for older adults in Australia, it is critical we ensure all our community members are accessing this and all the other vaccines that support healthy ageing,鈥 Prof. Seale says.
鈥淲e鈥檙e focusing on equity, making sure everyone has the opportunity, the information and the support to get vaccinated.鈥
To check what vaccines you鈥檙e eligible for, speak to a GP or pharmacist.
