Australia's vaccine programs fail to maintain lifelong protection, with urgent reforms needed so older Australians don't contract preventable diseases, healthcare advocates say.
Since contracting shingles in 2022, Penny Cox has experienced chronic fatigue and excruciating pain caused by sunlight exposure.
"I have been left with scarring from the rash," she said.
About one in three Australians risk getting shingles in their lifetime despite most Australians being vaccinated against chickenpox from the age of two.
Shingles is triggered by a reaction of the chickenpox virus in adulthood when immune systems gradually weaken due to age-related decline.
Health figures say without urgent reforms to Australia's national immunisation program, older Australians will continue to contract preventable diseases.
The government has routinely provided vaccines for children since the 1950s.
But the program fails to maintain lifelong protections for Australians, healthcare company GSK Australia said.
Out of nine million people aged over 50, census data found 4.1 million live with a chronic condition which weakens their immune system.
A roadmap to reforming the program was launched by GSK at Parliament House on Thursday, with hopes to lead the way in protecting an ageing population from diseases.
"Our health system and economy face once-in-a-generation challenges," GSK spokesman Dr Alan Paul said.
"With our ageing population, preventing disease has never been more important."
The roadmap suggests improving reimbursement systems and establishing a new adult immunisation schedule to set out clear timelines and prompts.
Health issues are also compounding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Indigenous people are burdened by disease 2.3 times than that of non-Indigenous Australians, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
A specific immunisation schedule is set up for Indigenous people in the program but vaccination rates are low.
Doctors back the call for reform, saying there should be no barriers to prevent people from living longer and healthier lives.
"Preventative health care in Australia shouldn't be seen as a luxury," GP Sarah Chu said.
Regional Australians, low socio-economic groups, and people in South Australia and Tasmania would feel the greatest benefits from reforming the immunisation program.
Other recommendations include regularly reviewing vaccines included in the program and allowing a number of facilities to administer vaccines outside of GPs.
Clarivate Life Sciences and Health Care was commissioned by GSK to produce the report.
