ASID’s message during World Immunization Week 2024: Keep up to date with recommended vaccinations.
The Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) acknowledges World Immunization Week 2024, a key time to highlight the protective benefits of immunisation for Australians, New Zealanders, and our global neighbours. World Immunization Week is a significant global public health campaign that seeks to promote the use of vaccines to protect people against vaccine-preventable diseases.
ASID advocates on vaccine use, confidence, safety issues and policy and has a clear message: Immunisation is one of the safest and most effective ways of protecting against serious diseases. Remaining up to date with recommended vaccinations is key to protecting your health, particularly for more vulnerable groups including young children, pregnant women, older people, and those who may have missed routine vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ASID is encouraging people to check that they and their family members are up to date with recommended immunisations. As we enter the 2024 winter season, it is particularly important to consider those vaccines that can help keep people well throughout this time.
The influenza (flu) vaccine is the most effective way to prevent flu and its complications. Flu vaccine is recommended yearly for all people aged six months and older. Further information about this year’s flu vaccine is available here: Influenza (flu) vaccine | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
It is important that older persons and others at higher risk of pneumonia to receive the recommended pneumococcal vaccine: Pneumococcal disease | The Australian Immunisation Handbook (health.gov.au)
This year, COVID-19 vaccine boosters are recommended 6-12 monthly for older adults and people with severe immunocompromise, and should also be considered for other adults: ATAGI statement on the administration of COVID-19 vaccines in 2024 (health.gov.au)
RSV preventative strategies are an exciting new development, with some programs being introduced in Australia and New Zealand from this year. Adults over 65 years are recommended and can purchase the RSV vaccine: ATAGI Statement on the Clinical Use Of Arexvy (RSV PRE-F3) Vaccine for RSV | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Nirsevimab, a long-acting injectable monoclonal antibody against RSV is also available in some jurisdictions for eligible infants: atagi-statement-on-nirsevimab-2024.pdf (health.gov.au)
For information specific to New Zealand see https://www.immune.org.nz/.
World Immunization Week is observed every year from 24 - 30 April. It drives an important effort to help prevent the spread of deadly diseases around the world and this year we celebrate 50 years of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). The EPI started in 1974 initially focussing on 6 childhood illness but has now expanded to include 13 universally recommended vaccines across the lifespan, and 17 additional tailored vaccines. The term has now shifted to the “Essential Programme on Immunisation.”
Conflicts, humanitarian crises, and the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in millions of children missing some or all their essential vaccines. Unfortunately, essential immunisations are not universally available and/or funded. Cost and vaccine nationalism limit global vaccine equity, and so outbreaks of previously eliminated diseases continue to occur, including in Australia and New Zealand.
The above statement has been championed by ASID’s Vaccination Special Interest Group (VACSIG).
Media Contact: Alison Sweeney alison@asid.com.au or 0425 221 155.