Vaccination Rates Lagged in Rural Areas

Rural vaccination rates have declined due to confusion and hesitation over the safety of vaccines, GPs have expressed their concerns that low uptake could result in COVID-19 cases and have called for mandatory vaccinating policies.

Toowoomba in Australia’s Outback is less susceptible to hesitation when it comes to vaccination rates, with Carbal Medical Services’ vaccination post at Toowoomba noting the low rate in Darling Downs and Maranoa likely being due to Pfizer not making vaccines available early enough for this region.

1. Meningococcal ACWY

Meningococcal disease can be a potentially life-threatening infection of the brain and spinal cord. In addition, it may result in septicaemia – an infection of blood. Ten to 15 infected individuals out of every 100 die as a result, leaving permanent disabilities such as loss of limbs, hearing or sight in its wake.

MenACWY vaccine can provide protection from four strains of the bacteria that cause meningitis and septicaemia – A, C, W and Y – on the national immunization schedule for children aged 12 months-4 years and adolescents 15-19 years. Furthermore, this vaccination program is publicly funded for people living in at-risk regions.

This vaccine is administered as a single injection into one arm. While most people experience no adverse side effects from receiving this vaccination, those that do experience symptoms like fever, rash and vomiting usually recover within 1-2 days after receiving their dose. You can find this vaccine available from general practices, specialist clinics and pharmacies; for more information please visit Vaccination Matters from Queensland Government.

2. Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis

Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) can be deadly diseases that affect infants. A vaccination against these diseases called Tdap is given to adolescents and adults for protection.

Families whose children had been affected by vaccine-preventable diseases shared their distress at a Brisbane summit to increase vaccinating rates, along with health experts and politicians hosted by Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman.

Immunisation rates in Queensland lag behind national standards, prompting health officials to warn that diseases generally prevented by vaccines could soon make an appearance in public places. A quasi-experimental study conducted in Central Queensland demonstrated how SMS reminders significantly increased vaccination compliance; these reminders were sent out to parents at milestones on children’s immunisation schedule and those receiving them were twice as likely to get their shots at the right time than those not receiving one.

3. Influenza

As the weather cools down, GPs have seen increasing interest from patients for COVID-19 vaccine as they prepare to defend themselves against influenza this season. High vaccination rates can reduce peak infection by 30% and relieve burden off community.

The Miles Labor Government will invest $40 million to provide free flu shots for everyone aged six months or over at GPs and some pharmacies. The vaccine can also be obtained online.

In Brisbane and across Queensland, the vaccine has seen widespread uptake. Unfortunately, Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday remains relatively under-vaccinated due to supply issues; AstraZeneca vaccines were distributed earliest, while Pfizer stock arrived late due to communication changes from ATAGI; as such confusion and hesitancy between locations encouraged people to remain unvaccinated – anyone experiencing difficulty should talk with their GP or pharmacist for advice before deliberating whether or not getting shots should consult both parties regarding this decision before hesitating to seek further advice before making their final decision regarding vaccination status.

4. HPV

HPV is the virus responsible for painful and recurrent genital warts. Additionally, it has been linked with cancer of the cervix, vulvae anus & penis (upwards of 70% of cervical cancer cases). An HPV vaccine provides protection from some of its most dangerous strains which cause these cancers.

Australian researchers were among the first to develop an HPV vaccine called Gardasil. This government-funded vaccination programme initially targeted girls and young women, before eventually expanding to include boys as well. Studies conducted using Gardasil have demonstrated its efficacy at reducing instances of high-grade cervical abnormalities among eligible participants for screening; its benefits being most evident among younger age groups.

According to government-released regional vaccination data, Brisbane region that included both inner city and suburban areas under lockdown for COVID-19 had one of the highest proportions of fully vaccinated people in Australia despite most schools having been closed during the pandemic.