Media release

From: Immunisation Coalition

WINTER MAY BE OVER – BUT COVID-19 IS NOT:

AUSTRALIANS URGED TO GET BOOSTED FOR SPRING AND
THE FOOTY FINALS SEASON

We have the following people available for interview or comment:

• Associate Professor Lou Irving, Member of the Immunisation Coalition’s Scientific Advisory Committee, Respiratory Physician and Head of Lung Tumour Stream at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Director of Clinical Training at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Post-COVID Clinic.
• Associate Professor Paul Griffin, Immunisation Coalition Board Member and Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of Infectious Diseases at the University of QLD and Mater Hospitals, Brisbane (we may be able to source a patient via Prof Griffins clinic if need be)
• We also have Dr Pearce trained in Adelaide and worked at the RAH, QEH and Modbury Hospitals before starting work in General Practice and is on numerous Advisory Boards
• Member of the public, Scott Willis and President of the Aust Physiotherapy Assoc prepared to share his story of coping with long COVID
• Carla from Bankstown; the social media icon and drag star who shot to fame during lockdown last year acting as the NSW Premier’s assistant
• Kim Sampson, CEO of the Immunisation Coalition

With winter now behind us, the Immunisation Coalition is warning Australians who haven’t yet had their COVID-19 booster vaccinations that COVID-19 is by no means over.

“This winter has been particularly brutal for many Australians with a severe flu season, and lots of different viruses circulating, including RSV, and of course COVID-19,” said Mr Kim Sampson, CEO of the Immunisation Coalition.

“As we head into the footy finals with large crowds of fans from across the country travelling and gathering it’s important Australians don’t delay protecting themselves and their loved ones by being fully vaccinated.

“All healthcare professionals at the forefront of the pandemic are acutely aware that COVID-19 has not yet run its course.”

The Immunisation Coalition is launching its ‘Take it From Me ’campaign to encourage all Australians to see their GP or pharmacist to get up to date with COVID-19 booster doses.

The Australian Government data shows that only 71.6% of eligible Australians aged 16 and over have had three or more doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

“We want to increase the urgency to get vaccinated now, jolt the 'post-pandemic’ mindset of vaccine-complacent Australians and give them compelling reasons to act,” said Mr Sampson.

“In a world where social media makes everyone look perfect, it's easy to forget that we're all just human and doing the best we can. Most of us are not perfect and forget important things that may be consequential, such as forgetting to get the next booster vaccination for COVID-19.”

The Immunisation Coalition, an independent not for profit organisation, is the leading voice and champion for immunisation education for all Australians and works with State and Federal Governments on public health and immunisation related matters.

“It’s not possible to predict the next wave of COVID-19, or what strain of COVID-19 it will be,” said Associate Professor Paul Griffin, Immunisation Coalition Board Member and Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of Infectious Diseases at the University of Queensland and Mater Hospitals, South Brisbane.

“Nor can we predict the scale and severity of future waves of infection. If people are complacent and don’t remain up to date according to current guidelines, thinking the vaccinations they have had are enough, then there's every chance that they will get infected, probably in the not-too-distant future.

“The best protection we have for ourselves and our loved ones is to stay up to date with booster vaccinations.”
Professor Robert Booy, Immunisation Coalition Board member and Professor of Child & Adolescent Health, The Children's Hospital at Westmead said there has been a very large increase in COVID-19 disease in Australia this year – including amongst children, with more than 80 per cent of deaths from the disease overall occurring this year.

Of concern is that this year there has been nine reported deaths in children aged under five years.

“Vaccine uptake in school children is less than 60 per cent,” said Professor Booy. “Yet COVID-19 disease has been described as a generation-defining disruption to children who have been forced to forego large amounts of their education.

“Vaccines are available for high-risk children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years and are more widely available for school children in general.”

He urged parents to make COVID-19 booster vaccinations a priority for their children and themselves.

The Immunisation Coalition said healthcare professionals around the country encourage Australians of all ages to visit their local GP or pharmacist to find out their latest immunisation requirements, vaccination options and get vaccinated.

Together with their healthcare professional, people can choose the most suitable booster vaccine for them.