Australia’s immunisation landscape is rapidly shifting. Australia has long maintained an excellent record of high childhood immunisation rates. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, this rate has fallen below the desired 95% coverage rate across the population. The resurgence of diseases such as measles and pertussis (whooping cough), both globally and within Australia, highlights the urgent need for new strategies to boost immunisation rates.  

This position statement reaffirms immunisation as the most effective public health intervention and calls for renewed efforts to rebuild trust, improve access and boost vaccination rates across all communities. It identifies the role of the health profession and priority populations for immunisation. The statement also outlines barriers to implementation, addressing health literacy concerns and principles for equitable vaccination.