NATIONAL MEDIA ALERT    EMBARGOED: 12:01am MON, MARCH 27, 2017

Millions of Australian adults missing out on free, life-saving vaccinations

Launch of national research centre of excellence to boost adult immunisation

Up to 3.8 million Australian adults are missing out on free vaccinations each year, putting themselves at risk of contracting life-threatening, yet preventable infections,1 according to a report set for publication in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) tomorrow, Monday, March 27, 2017.

 

The release of the report will coincide with the launch of the University of New South Wales Vaccine and Infection Research Lab (UNSW VIRL) – a national research centre of excellence designed to tackle the serious issue of low adult vaccination rates, and reduce the gap between infant and adult vaccination.

 

Australia continues to have vast numbers of under-vaccinated adults. Australians aged 65 and over, who constitute the majority of adults missing out on free, age-related vaccinations (influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia and shingles), have an equal right to protection against life-threatening illnesses.

 

“Vaccination rates are significantly higher among infants versus their grandparents, despite the availability of free vaccines for both groups. This demonstrates the lower value that society places on keeping older Australians healthy,” said UNSW VIRL Head and   co-author, Professor Raina MacIntyre, Sydney.

 

To learn more about UNSW VIRL and why Australia’s overall attitude to adult vaccination is short-sighted, tee up an interview tomorrow, Monday, March 27 with: 

EXPERTS

Prof Raina McIntyre: Head, School of Public Health & Community Medicine, UNSW & Professor of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, SYDNEY

Dr Rob Menzies: Senior Lecturer, School of Public Health & Community Medicine, UNSW, SYDNEY

Prof Peter McIntyre: Director, National Centre for Immunisation Research & Surveillance (NCIRS), SYDNEY

Prof Rodney Phillips: Dean, UNSW Medicine, SYDNEY

Mr Graeme Prior: Director, International Federation of Aging, CANADA (Formerly PERTH)

Dr Jenny Royle: Community Immunisation Paediatrician and Immunisation Educator, NEST Family Clinic, MELBOURNE

Mr John Cunningham OAM:  Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon & immunisation advocate, MELBOURNE

Dr Michelle Caldercott: Specialist, Austin Health & Senior Consultant, Victorian Respiratory Support Service, MELBOURNE

Dr Deb Mills: Medical Director, Dr Deb The Travel Doctor, BRISBANE

Mr Ian Yates: Chief Executive, Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia, CANBERRA

Dr Bastian Seidel: President, RACGP & General Practitioner, HUON VALLEY, TASMANIA

Ian Henschke: Chief Advocate, National Seniors Australia, ADELAIDE

Dr David Smith: Clinical Professor, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, PERTH

AUSTRALIANS WHO HAVE LIVED WITH VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES

Kevin, 74, Fashion model, entrepreneur, teacher, grandfather & recent fitness enthusiast who contracted pneumonia & shingles, SYDNEY

Giff, 79, Grandfather who continues to experience shingles nerve pain, SYDNEY

Peter, 45,  Former disability employment specialist, post-surgical care advocate & amateur photographer who survived five heart surgeries & pneumonia, MELBOURNE

Cathy, 44, Small business owner, freelance journalist & cyclist who contracted chickenpox, MELBOURNE

Don, 78, Vintage car collector, cyclist, father & grandfather who continues to experience nerve pain from shingles, KIALLA, VICTORIA

Sandra, 49, Self-employed mother-of-two contracted influenza from husband & transmitted to daughter, BRISBANE

Jessica, 29, Health coach & cystic fibrosis patient advocate who contracted swine flu, BRISBANE

Cheryl, 70, Had shingles in 2015 and believes her early diagnosis helped prevent further pain, GOLD COAST

David, 62, Banking manager & father-of-three who has experienced influenza on multiple occasions, CANBERRA

Garry, 61,  Father, grandfather, horticulturalist & avid golfer in favour of flu vaccination, BURNIE

Ann, 73, Aged care worker, mother-to-four, and grandmother-to-10 who survived pneumonia, ADELAIDE

Lannah, 61, Author, entrepreneur, Outback explorer & recent grandmother who lived with shingles, PERTH

MEDIA CONTACTS: Kirsten Bruce or Aaron Dowling, VIVA! Communications w. 02 9968 3741 m. 0401 717 566 m. 0474 269 294 

VISION: VNR available via satellite feed @ 9.15am AEDT, MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 from 7 Network (SYD) –  please record & ask Ch 7 in your capital city to on-pass, if an affiliate

DIGITAL MEDIA KIT: www.ausadultvaccination.org

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:  Twitter @UNSW_VIRL         Facebook @UNSW - VIRL

Reference: Menzies RI, Leask J, Royle J and MacIntyre R. Vaccine myopia: adult vaccination also needs attention. Med J Aust 2017 ePub.