Child vaccination rates are plummeting, and the consequences could be dire. Australia has long prided itself on its successful vaccination program, which has protected children from severe illnesses like measles, mumps, and whooping cough. However, recent data reveals a concerning trend: the share of one-year-olds fully vaccinated has been steadily declining since the COVID pandemic. This decline is not just a numbers game; it's a public health crisis in the making.
The Grattan Institute's analysis highlights a disturbing slide in vaccination rates, with only 92% of one-year-olds fully vaccinated in the year to September 2025, down from 95% in 2020. This is a significant drop, and it's happening across the country, not just in specific regions. The impact is particularly severe in areas where children were already more vulnerable, with some regions seeing a decline of over 5 percentage points.
The risks are very real. Whooping cough notifications are at their highest level in 35 years, and measles exposure sites have been reported in Sydney and regional New South Wales. These diseases can cause severe pain, hospitalisation, and even death, especially in young children. The situation is so dire that countries like America and Canada have lost their measles elimination status, and an outbreak in London has led to hospitalisations and school closures for unvaccinated children.
So, why are vaccination rates falling? The Grattan Institute's survey points to a combination of psychological and practical barriers. Misinformation and the intense debate around COVID vaccines have likely eroded trust in childhood vaccinations. Among parents with unvaccinated children, almost half don't think vaccines are safe. Additionally, practical barriers, such as difficulty getting appointments, also play a role.
The good news is that the federal and state governments are taking action. They have agreed on a new national vaccination strategy, which emphasises building trust in vaccines, strengthening the immunisation workforce, using data to target efforts, and increasing accountability. However, the true test will be in the budgets released in the coming months, where new investments are needed to turn the strategy into decisive action.
These investments should include public advertising, combating misinformation by understanding community beliefs and tailoring government information, and modernising data systems to track trends and focus efforts. Crucially, tougher targets are needed to stop some communities from falling behind, and funding for local efforts tailored to local needs to help them catch up.
Australia has a proud history of achieving ambitious vaccination targets, but getting back to pre-pandemic levels will be harder than the initial success. Governments must step up and redouble their efforts to protect Australia's children. The time to act is now, before the consequences become too severe.
