The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) has expressed strong support for the introduction of the FluMist intranasal influenza vaccine by the governments of New South Wales and Queensland. This vaccine targets children aged two to under five years and aims to alleviate some barriers to childhood immunisation. ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz emphasized that many parents dread having their children receive injections, despite understanding the importance of vaccination in preventing serious illnesses.
“The new intranasal vaccine is a positive alternative for families who worry about their child’s reaction to having a needle,” said Professor Zeitz. She pointed out that while this development is a step forward, it does not fully address the critical issue of access to vaccinations.
Significant concern surrounds declining vaccination rates, with fewer than 26 percent of children under five receiving the influenza vaccine this year. According to the National Immunisation Strategy for Australia 2025-2030, released earlier this year, there is an urgent need to enhance the role of nurses in increasing vaccination rates across the country.
Nurses Essential for Enhanced Vaccination Efforts
Professor Zeitz highlighted the pivotal role of nurses in Australia’s immunisation programs. There are nearly 500,000 registered nurses in the country, forming the largest and most geographically distributed healthcare workforce. Despite this, regulatory and funding barriers limit their ability to operate at full capacity.
ACN is calling for immediate reforms that would expand the scope of practice for registered nurses, enabling them to lead vaccination clinics and deliver comprehensive primary care, including chronic disease management and preventive health services. Professor Zeitz noted, “Advanced practice registered nurses are perfectly positioned to deliver these vaccination programs, conduct holistic health assessments, and provide the kind of preventive care that keeps people out of expensive hospital beds.”
The economic benefits of broader vaccination programs extend beyond immediate healthcare savings. Well-staffed, nurse-led preventive care initiatives can lead to increased productivity through reduced sick days, fewer hospital admissions, and healthier communities.
Innovative Healthcare Delivery Needed
While the availability of vaccines in community pharmacies is a positive development, the ACN contends that nurses represent the highest standard in vaccination administration. They are responsible for delivering more vaccines than any other healthcare profession, doing so in culturally safe and compassionate manners.
“We have the plans, we have the workforce, and we have programs like FluMist that show what’s possible when we think innovatively about healthcare delivery,” Professor Zeitz stated. The ACN is urging all governments to make strategic decisions that leverage the nursing workforce to enhance safe, quality healthcare while improving the productivity of the healthcare system.
Addressing these issues will require a concerted effort from all levels of government and healthcare providers to ensure that children receive the immunisations they need to stay healthy and protected.
