Louise Miller-Frost (Boothby, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The truism of primary health care is that $1 spent in prevention saves $9 in treatment. We all know that the health system is under enormous strain across the country, so any illness prevention has got to be a good thing, both for the individuals and for the health system. Vaccines are often seen as the most cost-effective form of preventative care after the provision of clean water. Vaccines can limit the incidence or severity of infectious disease and the resulting issues that can occur—cancer, chronic disease, post-viral syndromes and, of course, in the worst cases, death. That's not to mention the pain and distress to the individual. I heard recently from Monica about the effect shingles has had on her partner. Nine months later, his skin still feels like it's burning, and he can barely tolerate clothing touching his skin. This has of course had a financial effect on their family, as he can't go to work.

Childhood immunisation is important, but my message today is that vaccines are of benefit across the life span. Adult access to vaccines for diseases such as shingles, flu, whooping cough and, of course, COVID is an important part of keeping ourselves healthy, staying out of the acute health sector and preventing the spread of disease to our loved ones. We are now in the season when it is time to have your flu vax and possibly your fourth or fifth COVID vax, and I'd encourage people to consider that.