Here’s an update on a few of the issues AMA Victoria is working on for members, including:

• Advocacy for free universal access to influenza and RSV vaccines
• Strengthening Victoria’s digital health
• E-scooter update- Victoria permanently legalises hire e-scooters with improved safety measures.
   

Advocacy for free universal access to influenza and RSV vaccines

AMAV is urging the Victorian Government to implement free universal access to influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines, highlighting the urgent need to expand vaccine accessibility to protect all Victorians.

The current influenza outbreak and cost of living crisis have exposed gaps in Victoria's public health strategy. The National Immunisation Program (NIP) offers free flu vaccines only to specific groups, leaving many families, especially those with children over five, facing high vaccination costs. This financial burden leads to lower vaccination rates and increased vulnerability.

As of June 1, over one-third of Australia's 20,000 influenza cases were in children under 15, with childhood flu rates up 20% from 2023. Less than one in seven children under 15 in Melbourne has been vaccinated against this year's flu strain, which remains the leading cause of vaccine-preventable hospitalization for children under five.  Providing universal free flu vaccines is essential to reduce influenza spread and alleviate economic strain. The precedent set by the Government in 2022, offering universal access, serves as an effective model.

Universal free access to the RSV vaccine is similarly critical to protect vulnerable populations from severe respiratory illnesses. Recent reports indicate a looming RSV epidemic in Australia, with Victorian babies at significant risk. RSV also causes substantial morbidity and hospitalization in the elderly and immunocompromised. Ensuring comprehensive free access to RSV vaccines for all Victorians is crucial for safeguarding public health and alleviating healthcare resource strain. The cost-benefit is evident, given the increased risks for the elderly and those with multiple comorbidities.

AMAV strongly supports this measure to enhance public health and protect vulnerable populations. We are ready to collaborate and support these efforts, building on our recent success in lifting influenza vaccine ordering limits through advocacy to the Victorian Department of Health.
 

Strengthening Victoria’s digital health

Friday’s CrowdStrike outages remind us of the importance of reliable, resilient IT systems in healthcare- which is, appropriately, pillar one of the current Victorian digital health roadmap.

Victoria is home to 76 health services, with around 30% still reliant on paper-based systems. This variation in digital health maturity presents several challenges statewide.

There are also different electronic medical records used at different health services. In the months ahead we’ll see the introduction of an important interoperability measure that will facilitate limited sharing of key pieces of health information between the many health services, improving the ability of clinical staff to access health information without the use of outdated methods like fax machines. For more: CareSync Exchange | health.vic.gov.au; Victoria’s Electronic Patient Health Information Sharing System (kennedyslaw.com).

As AMAV continues to advocate for digital health excellence, we seek member input on the next Victorian digital health roadmap. What aspects are working well, what needs improvement, and what should be prioritised for the future? Please share your thoughts with Senior Policy Adviser, Lewis Horton, at [email protected].
 

E-scooter update- Victoria permanently legalises hire e-scooters with improved safety measures

AMAV has previously highlighted the role of e-scooters as a sustainable transportation option. However, we have also expressed concerns about the rise in e-scooter-related injuries, which contribute to emergency department overcrowding and hospital access blockages. To address these concerns, we have advocated for additional measures to enhance e-scooter safety and reduce the associated healthcare burden.

In this context, AMAV welcomes the Victorian Government's recent decision to permanently legalise share hire e-scooters across Victoria with new tougher penalties for misuse and the introduction of advanced technology aimed at improving e-scooter safety: Leading The Nation On E-Scooter Safety | Premier

AMAV remains dedicated to working with the Government to further enhance safety measures for all road users and pedestrians.

For further information: Share hire e-scooters to be permanently legalised across Victoria - ABC News.