Prevalence of influenza immunisation in Australia and suggestions for future targeting of campaigns

Summary Objectives: Reports on the results of a national survey conducted in Australia, in 2000. The objectives were to determine national estimates of influenza vaccination coverage for each state and territory of Australia, to obtain information related to attitudes towards and influences on immunisation decisions and explain the factors involved with failure to immunise.Method: The survey was conducted using the Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) system. The overall participation rate for the survey was 88.6% and the final number of completed interviews across Australia was n=10505.Results: Two target groups, those aged 65 years and over and those at risk of influenza aged between 40 and 64 years were defined. The overall immunisation rates in these two groups were 74% and 32% resp. The rate of immunisation among females generally exceeded that of males. A multivariate model provided the best joint set of explanatory variables for not getting immunised. These include sex, income, general practitioner recommendation, and general perceptions regarding the influenza injection.Conclusion: This study identified important issues in the decisions of people to immunise. It also highlighted the need to target the findings in effective immunisation policies and strategies to improve health outcomes for those at risk of adverse influenza events.Population Health Division, Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care