Booster uptake: Experts say Australia needs better messaging

Researchers have suggested that Australia needs new messaging around vaccines in order to increase the number of people receiving booster doses.

This follows an independent review of the nation’s COVID vaccine procurement, which was handed to the federal government this week.

In her review of COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Purchasing and Procurement report submitted to the government, Professor Jane Halton AO made eight recommendations.

The recommendations include fresh public health campaigns which would be designed to encourage an uptake of booster shots over the next two years.

The recommendations also cover an updated COVID-19 policy framework, the streamlining of advisory structures, a review of vaccine distribution arrangements, and the need to ensure adequate supplies of therapeutics and vaccines across 2023 and 2024, among other things.

“Australia and the world are not yet ‘COVID-stable’, and we are unable to confidently predict the timing or impact of new waves and variants. This uncertainty presents particular challenges. The availability of efficacious vaccines and treatments will continue to play a key role in ensuring ongoing protection for lives and livelihoods,” noted Prof Halton.

The Albanese Government commissioned the review to ensure that all eligible Australians have access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, now and into the future, Minister of Health Mark Butler said.

Jessica Kaufman, a research fellow for the Vaccine Uptake Group, and Professor Holly Seale, say that the most important step for Australian health authorities to consider is liaising with the community in order to maintain public confidence.

The next two years are critical to supporting our economy, health and education systems to recover. Australia’s approach to the procurement of vaccines and treatments needs to be responsive to the changing environment and should be guided by clear policy and understanding of risk appetite, writes Prof Halton.

“Consideration should be given to the decision-making structures and advice required, and whether new and existing pathways for procurement and distribution of vaccines and treatments should be retained or adapted. Finally, it is critical that Australia maintains surge capacity in the event of a serious new variant or another infectious disease,” Prof Halton said.

(With inputs from NEMBC Multilingual News Service, Victoria)

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