Influenza vaccination rates have been in decline for the last few years among reports of measles outbreaks in Perth’s metro area, and WA’s vaccination rate is below the national average across all demographics.

Experts say there are multiple factors that may be contributing to the decline in vaccination rates.

Associate Professor Hannah Moore, head of infectious diseases research at The Kids Institute, says there is a COVID factor.

“I think there is a bit of vaccine fatigue in the community and that we’ve been through so much with the COVID pandemic,” she says.

“People are perhaps feeling that they’re just a bit fatigued from that vaccine.

“We need to make sure that vaccines are easily accessible to those who who need them. Whether that’s in general practitioners or in pharmacist who are eligible to do vaccinations, or immunisation clinics. Potentially there is an access issue there as well.”

Despite the decline in influenza vaccine take-up in recent years, Perth pharmacist Sarah Tan says people are coming through the door to get vaccinated.

“Typically we tend to see an increase in the number of people coming in around May and June period, especially when the free flu vaccines are out,” she says.

The WA state government is offering free vaccines to all in the months of May and June again, after offering the same last year.

“Normally the ones coming in May and June period, they are aware [of the free vaccination campaign by the state government],” Ms Tan says.

Despite the campaign running in previous years too, influenza vaccination rates in WA have been in decline at a time when reports of measles outbreaks are concerning residents.

“We’ve been having a lot of inquiries about it [measles outbreaks] recently,” says Ms Tan.

“I’ve had about three inquiries just this week. And prior to this, no one really talked about the measles.”

Dr Moore says communication is key.

“There’s constantly work we need to do to be able to better communicate why vaccines are so important and to and to make this information available and culturally appropriate,” she says.

“Research before has shown that the biggest indicator of vaccination uptake is a recommendation by trusted healthcare provider.

“For example, in aboriginal populations, some of the research that we have done in relation to RSV immunisations has shown that aboriginal families, they want to hear advice from their trusted aboriginal medical practitioners.”

Ms Tan agrees, saying her patients have concerns.

“If they do have any questions about it, they’ll tend to come to the pharmacies and come and ask the pharmacists about the pros and cons of getting the vaccines,” she says.

“A lot of people tend to ask about like the side effects.

“We normally tell them like the common type of side effects, which is like injection site reactions.”

When asked if any patients had refused the influenza vaccine after being advised of the side effects, Ms Tan was definitive.

“No, no. I haven’t had any.”