Australia may become the most vaccinated country in the world — a cause for careful celebration

More than 90% of NSW residents aged over 16 have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 70% of ACT residents aged over 12 have received a double dose. 

It’s huge news for Australia — we may become one of the most highly vaccinated countries in the world as other countries’ vaccination rates taper off. But there are some caveats, and while it’s cause for celebration, Australia has to celebrate carefully. 

Different milestones

Unlike many other countries (or even the ACT), Australia’s goals are centred around those aged over 16 who have been vaccinated. Other nations take into account the whole of the population, including children or those aged over 12 deemed eligible for the vaccine. 

Taking into account the whole population, our 80% vaccination target drops to 64% — a goal experts have warned is too low to achieve herd immunity. 

But our different goalposts aren’t a problem, as University of Queensland infectious disease specialist Professor Paul Griffin tells Crikey.

“We just have to be aware we’re not measuring the same as other countries, and that we also look at the rate of uptake among those eligible,” he said. 

NSW’s 90% single-dose is nothing to sniff at. In the US, a steep drop-off in vaccines started in mid-April, with mandates and passports introduced under President Joe Biden to spur the uptake. The UK had a slight dip in uptake but has hit 78% double dose in over-12s. 

Griffin stressed we’re not out of the woods yet. “This is the end of the beginning, and we need to keep the motivation going to have first-round vaccination rates as high as possible before focusing on boosters,” he said. 

From today, Australians aged 12 and older who are considered “severely immunocompromised” will be able to access a booster shot of an mRNA vaccine such as Pfizer or Moderna.

What makes us so pro-vaccine? 

Australia has one of the highest general vaccine uptake rates in the world. Immunisation coverage for five-year-olds sits at or above the 95% target, partly fuelled by the “no jab no play” childcare rebate initiative. 

“We’re a health-literate nation and we’re a well-resourced country, so in terms of tackling complex logistics around delivering the vaccine we were in a good position,” Griffin said. 

Lockdowns and vaccine certificates have also fuelled uptake, says Walter and Eliza Hall Institute epidemiologist Professor Ivo Mueller.

“We’re very sick and tired of lockdowns and the virus, so that’s turbocharged the uptake,” he told Crikey. 

Unlike in the US, the issue of vaccination is not one of political sides, with the majority of Australia’s scientists, religious leaders and politicians supporting the vaccine, he says.

“In the US, the vaccine has become political and part of the political creed. If you’re part of right-wing persuasion it’s a badge of honour to not be vaxxed.”

Disparity across regions 

While inner-city areas in states which have experienced long lockdowns have high vaccine uptake rates, there are huge gaps across the country. 

Regional Queensland has some of the lowest vaccination rates in Australia, with just a third of residents fully vaccinated. Despite initially being a priority for vaccines, around a quarter of people with disabilities living in shared accommodation remain unprotected. The disability royal commission found those in group homes had been deprioritised in the rollout as the focus shifted to residential aged care facilities. 

Vaccination rates among the Indigenous population, especially those in regional and rural areas, also lag behind the rest of the population. This is a “real worry”, Mueller says.

“Indigenous people have a high rate of chronic disease and often live in overcrowded areas, which is a real challenge for COVID-19. It will take an Indigenous-led and Indigenous-run effort to boost these rates,” he said.  

Indigenous leaders have said the confusion around AstraZeneca eligibility and safety has had a massive impact on the rollout.

“In all celebration, let’s not forget [this disparity] is an issue that needs urgent attention and all of our support,” Mueller said.