High pneumococcal vaccine costs putting Western Australians at risk

On World Pneumonia Day, the Institute for Respiratory Health is calling on the Government to make pneumonia vaccines accessible to all Australians with lung disease, including those under 70 with conditions such as asthma and COPD, who are currently left unprotected.

Pneumonia is a serious respiratory infection that inflames the lungs, causing chest pain, difficulty breathing and fatigue. It is particularly dangerous for people with lung conditions, young children and older adults and it can be life-threatening if not treated.

Pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria is especially concerning, as antibiotic resistance makes it increasingly difficult to treat. Vaccination is a proven method of prevention, yet access to pneumococcal vaccines remains limited for many at-risk Australians.

Currently, only certain groups, such as those over 70 or with specific lung diseases, are eligible for free pneumonia vaccination, leaving many people with lung disease, including severe asthma and COPD, unprotected.

“Pneumonia is particularly dangerous for people with respiratory conditions, yet many Australians with lung diseases like asthma face high out-of-pocket costs for vaccination,” said Professor Yuben Moodley, Deputy Director at the Institute for Respiratory Health.

“Making the pneumococcal vaccine available to all Australians with lung disease is an easy, practical step that could prevent unnecessary illness and hospitalisations. We’re urging the Government to make this change.”

With antibiotic resistance on the rise, preventing bacterial infections like pneumococcal pneumonia through vaccination has become more crucial than ever. Professor Moodley explained why vaccination is so important: “As bacteria become more resistant to antibiotics, preventing pneumonia in the first place becomes vital. Vaccination is one of the best tools we have to protect those with lung disease from serious respiratory infections.”

Vaccine-preventable pneumonia and influenza are currently the tenth most common reasons for avoidable hospitalisation in Australia. Expanding access to the pneumococcal vaccine for those with lung disease, such as severe asthma or interstitial lung disease, could significantly reduce preventable hospital stays, alleviating pressure on the healthcare system and improving health outcomes.

The Institute for Respiratory Health emphasises that vaccination benefits all Australians, not just those with lung disease. Preventing respiratory infections through vaccination helps reduce the spread of illness, protects the most vulnerable, and promotes a healthier community.

“We know vaccination is effective and by making it affordable and accessible, we could protect Australians with and without lung disease from the risks of pneumonia,” Professor Moodley said.

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