As Australia approaches the colder months, concern is growing around the low uptake of COVID-19 booster vaccinations among the country’s most vulnerable groups — aged care residents and older people living in the community.
Despite being at highest risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19, fewer than half of aged care residents aged 75 and above have received a booster in the past six months. In the wider community, the numbers are even more troubling.
Only one in five Australians over the age of 75 has been vaccinated within the recommended timeframe.
While the worst days of the pandemic may feel long behind us, COVID-19 remains a significant health threat for older people, especially those in residential aged care settings.
With winter bringing a spike in respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, medical experts are sounding the alarm about the potential consequences of such low vaccination rates.
Federal guidelines recommend that everyone aged 75 and over receive a COVID-19 booster every six months. Adults aged between 65 and 74 are also eligible for boosters on the same schedule, depending on their individual risk factors.
Yet current statistics suggest these guidelines are not being followed consistently.
The situation within aged care facilities is particularly concerning. Around 20 per cent of homes have reported vaccinating fewer than one in ten residents in the past six months.
This is despite ongoing efforts from the government and health authorities to promote vaccination and provide free access to COVID-19 boosters through GPs, pharmacists and primary care teams.
Experts believe that one of the key issues behind the low uptake is the fading urgency in public health messaging. The visibility of COVID-19 in the media has declined in recent years, leading many to underestimate the ongoing risk, particularly for older adults.
Unlike influenza, which has long been associated with an annual jab, COVID-19’s six-monthly booster schedule is still unfamiliar territory for many.
Access may also be playing a role. Some older people are unsure where to go to receive their booster or which vaccine is currently recommended.
The latest vaccine, the Pfizer JN.1 booster, has been tailored to better match circulating variants and is widely available. It can also be given at the same time as the annual flu jab, offering a convenient opportunity for dual protection.
Doctors and health advocates are urging families, carers and aged care providers to take a proactive approach by encouraging eligible individuals to book their booster appointments.
The consequences of another COVID-19 wave during winter, when immunity is waning and vaccination rates are low, could place significant pressure on hospitals and lead to preventable deaths among older Australians.
