Australian medical professionals are concerned about the spread of skepticism regarding vaccination from the United States
Australian medical experts have expressed concern that changes to childhood vaccination guidelines in the U.S. could fuel vaccine hesitancy in Australia. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for American children to be vaccinated against fewer diseases. According to the document, the number of recommended immunizations is set to drop from 18 by the end of 2024 to 11. Trump also suggested a link between vaccination and autism, although there is no evidence to support this, reports The Guardian World.
In the U.S., six vaccinations are recommended for all children, and five more—including the hepatitis B vaccine—are recommended only for high-risk groups. In Australia, 15 childhood vaccinations are currently recommended. Professor Julie Lisk of the University of Sydney, who researches the social factors surrounding vaccination, believes that Trump’s statements and his support for U.S. Surgeon GeneralRobert F. Kennedy Jr. could influence Australians’ willingness to vaccinate their children.
According to Lisk, healthcare professionals are already hearing more questions from parents about the safety of vaccinations. A survey of Australian parents released in February showed a lower level of acceptance of routine childhood vaccinations than a year earlier.
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Data from the Australian Immunization Register show that full vaccination coverage among five-year-olds has dropped to 92.6% after peaking in 2020–2021, while the target rate is 95%. Lucy Kleins, Executive Director of Hepatitis Australia, reported a 3% decline in the number of one-year-olds fully immunized against hepatitis B. According to her, this trend has been ongoing since approximately 2020.
The Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases emphasized that the MMR vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella is safe and effective, and there is no scientific basis for changing its administration schedule in Australia and New Zealand. The organization advised parents to discuss vaccination with their family doctor, pediatrician, or immunization nurse.
