A recent report highlights a troubling decline in childhood vaccination rates in Australia, attributed to rising out-of-pocket costs and diminishing trust in vaccine information. Experts warn that the effects of the Trump administration's policies on immunization are being felt internationally.

The study, led by researchers from the National Vaccination Insights Project and published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, examined the reasons behind a significant drop in childhood vaccinations over the past five years. For two decades, vaccination coverage had steadily increased, peaking at 95 percent for children aged five. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, coverage has fallen to 92.7 percent in 2024, remaining below the national target across all age milestones.

Dr. Kasia Bolsewicz, the lead author and a Social Science Research Fellow at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS), expressed concern over the declining numbers. She noted that while childhood vaccinations are free under the National Immunisation Program, practical barriers still exist. "Parents tell us that it's hard to find bulk billing doctors that don't charge consultation fees, and it's also the cost of taking time off work or finding transport, particularly in regional and rural areas," she said.

The report identified additional barriers, including skepticism about vaccine safety and effectiveness, as well as mistrust of information from healthcare professionals. Dr. Maryke Steffens, another researcher at NCIRS, emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to address these issues. "Because barriers to childhood vaccination are multifaceted, no single intervention alone will solve this problem. We need coordinated, multi-sector action," she stated.

The report's release coincides with a rise in vaccine skepticism and misinformation on social media, exacerbated by statements from high-ranking officials in the Trump administration. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a long-time vaccine critic, and his influence has led to significant changes in U.S. vaccine policy, including reduced access and funding for vaccine research. Terry Slevin, CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia, noted that this misinformation is affecting Australians. "In the age of social media, national borders are increasingly less a protection against misinformation," he said.

Slevin added that the Australian government supports scientific evidence regarding immunization, contrasting with the situation in the U.S. He warned that if childhood vaccination rates continue to decline, young lives could be at risk. Dr. Bolsewicz pointed out that misinformation from the U.S. is likely influencing Australian parents. "Parents will be asking those questions, and some misinformation will be shared," she said.

The report recommends several strategies to improve vaccination access, including increasing bulk billing for vaccination appointments and offering vaccines outside of regular work hours in various settings, such as pharmacies and community events. It also suggests funding dedicated time for healthcare providers to discuss vaccinations with patients and utilizing trusted community advocates in vaccination campaigns.

Health Minister Mark Butler recently launched a new National Immunisation Strategy, aimed at improving vaccination rates over the next five years. He acknowledged that while Australia has historically high vaccination rates, they are trending downward and need to be reversed. The World Health Organization states that approximately 95 percent vaccination coverage is necessary to maintain herd immunity against highly contagious diseases like measles.

Currently, the U.S. is experiencing a widespread measles outbreak, with over 1,500 confirmed cases across 42 states. In Australia, Queensland is facing its own measles outbreak, with local health authorities urging parents to vaccinate their children. Federal figures indicate that Queensland has the lowest immunization coverage for one-year-olds in the country, at 90.35 percent.

Dr. Bolsewicz warned of the serious consequences if vaccination rates continue to decline. "If we don't do anything, we risk children not being protected against vaccine-preventable diseases and seeing diseases that we haven't seen for many years in Australia," she said.