Fleur Webster1, Heather Gidding2,3, Veronica Matthews4, Richard Taylor1, Robert Menzies1. 1. School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of NSW, New South Wales. 2. Clinical and Population Perinatal Health Research, The University of Sydney Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales. 3. National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, New South Wales. 4. The University Centre for Rural Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare vaccination coverage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter referred to as Indigenous) adults in 2004-05 and 2012-13, including the impact of national vaccination funding initiatives. METHODS: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health cross-sectional surveys - 2004-05 (n=5,757) and 2012-13 (n=5,482) - were compared. Self-reported influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage among Indigenous adults was analysed by age, remoteness, gender and risk factor status. RESULTS: Influenza vaccination coverage among Indigenous adults in 2004-05 and 2012-13 remained low. While coverage increased for those aged 18-49 years from 23% to 29%, it declined for those aged ≥65 years from 84% to 74%. For remote areas, influenza coverage among those aged 50-64 years declined from 76% to 66%. Pneumococcal vaccination coverage remained very low and declined across all age groups in 2004-05 and 2012-13 (50-64 years: 30% to 23%). For remote areas, pneumococcal coverage declined among those aged 50-64 years from 52% to 32%. CONCLUSIONS: Indigenous adult vaccination coverage for influenza and pneumococcal disease remains unacceptably low. Between 2004-05 and 2012-13, declines occurred in pneumococcal vaccination coverage across all age groups ≥18 years. Despite national funding of influenza vaccine in 2010, there was no increase in influenza coverage, except for the 18-49-year age group. Implications for public health: Current approaches to promote, deliver and monitor vaccination of Indigenous adults are inadequate.
OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare vaccination coverage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter referred to as Indigenous) adults in 2004-05 and 2012-13, including the impact of national vaccination funding initiatives. METHODS: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health cross-sectional surveys - 2004-05 (n=5,757) and 2012-13 (n=5,482) - were compared. Self-reported influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage among Indigenous adults was analysed by age, remoteness, gender and risk factor status. RESULTS: Influenza vaccination coverage among Indigenous adults in 2004-05 and 2012-13 remained low. While coverage increased for those aged 18-49 years from 23% to 29%, it declined for those aged ≥65 years from 84% to 74%. For remote areas, influenza coverage among those aged 50-64 years declined from 76% to 66%. Pneumococcal vaccination coverage remained very low and declined across all age groups in 2004-05 and 2012-13 (50-64 years: 30% to 23%). For remote areas, pneumococcal coverage declined among those aged 50-64 years from 52% to 32%. CONCLUSIONS: Indigenous adult vaccination coverage for influenza and pneumococcal disease remains unacceptably low. Between 2004-05 and 2012-13, declines occurred in pneumococcal vaccination coverage across all age groups ≥18 years. Despite national funding of influenza vaccine in 2010, there was no increase in influenza coverage, except for the 18-49-year age group. Implications for public health: Current approaches to promote, deliver and monitor vaccination of Indigenous adults are inadequate.
Authors: Luca Hensen; Thi H O Nguyen; Louise C Rowntree; Timon Damelang; Marios Koutsakos; Malet Aban; Aeron Hurt; Kim L Harland; Maria Auladell; Carolien E van de Sandt; Anngie Everitt; Cath Blacker; Damian A Oyong; Jessica R Loughland; Jessica R Webb; Bruce D Wines; P Mark Hogarth; Katie L Flanagan; Magdalena Plebanski; Adam Wheatley; Amy W Chung; Stephen J Kent; Adrian Miller; E Bridie Clemens; Peter C Doherty; Jane Nelson; Jane Davies; Steven Y C Tong; Katherine Kedzierska Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2021-10-12 Impact factor: 11.205