Australia’s National Immunisation Program and its supporting infrastructure has been one of the major reasons the country has been so successful in vaccination policy. Since its introduction in 1997, the program has seen significant growth, development and change. The collaboration between the Commonwealth and State and Territory governments, the partnership with advisory committees and other clinical experts, and the strengthening of the evidence and funding base for the Program have all helped to ensure that Australians everywhere can benefit from free access to vaccines to protect themselves, their families and their community.

But as with all good public policy programs, there is a need for regular discussion and review to ensure that the program continues to meet the needs and expectations of the Australian community.

Australia should also ensure it takes an active role at the global level in ensuring that the vaccines of the future that will protect us against future pandemics and epidemics are developed today. Australia has for many decades been a leader in global vaccines policy, so it is important that as a nation we lead global efforts to invest in such future vaccine technologies through organisations like the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

If there is one lesson coming out of the last two years, it has been the reminder of the value of vaccination for human society. Now is the right time to discuss Australia’s vaccine policies and programs to confirm they are sufficiently flexible, expansive and adaptable for the future. We need to ensure that Australia sufficiently prioritises and values early vaccination of all the population for the ever-expanding range of diseases that vaccines will help treat and prevent.

This report is an important step in encouraging that dialogue and reflection about the National Immunisation Program and Australia’s vaccination policies more generally. There will always be a variety of views about how Australia should best provide vaccines to its people. This report provides a timely catalyst for debate and a comprehensive perspective on these issues.