Bumping Australia’s adult vaccination rate to the same level as that of children could unlock a billion-dollar economic frontier.
A new report reveals the cost-benefit analysis of funding that would address gaps in vaccine access to deliver a range of economic and health benefits.
Diseases like shingles, influenza, RSV and whooping cough were examined by researchers at consultancy Evaluate to show the potential impact of more adults opting for jabs.
They found making the challenge a priority could deliver $1.1 billion net after a $320 million government investment.
To achieve it would involve setting a 95 per cent adult immunisation target consistent with the level of childhood vaccination.
Currently, only 51 per cent of older Australian receive all government-funded vaccination each year, according to independent not-for-profit the Immunisation Coalition.
Economist Saul Eslake says adults not getting jabs for common and preventable diseases can keep them from work or even force early retirement.
“The benefit to the broader economy is a result of people being able to work and this not being prevented due to catching one of these diseases and not being able to produce whatever goods and services, they do” Mr Eslake told AAP.
“There are well established ways of measuring the value of additional years of life, which we call quality-adjusted life years and this is typically valued at $50,000 each.”
Much of these benefits were tied into keeping Australia’s ageing population with the ability to stay employed by shielding them from disease, Mr Eslake said.
Associate Professor John Litt, a retired academic, GP and public health physician, says it’s important all Australians have access to the vaccinations they need.
“Underinvestment in vaccination disproportionately affects our most disadvantaged communities,” he said.
“Enhancing vaccine access for adults will help secure health and economic wellbeing for Australians, paving the way for a healthier future for all.”
The Evaluate report also calls on the federal government to reform reimbursement systems to recognise any long-term benefits of vaccines and disease prevention.
