• Amalie Dyda, Surendra Karki, Andrew Hayen, C Raina MacIntyre, Robert Menzies, Emily Banks, John M Kaldor, and Bette Liu.
• School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. a.dyda@unsw.edu.au.
• Bmc Infect Dis. 2016 Sep 26; 16 (1): 515.

BackgroundIn the absence of an adult vaccination register, coverage estimates for influenza and pneumococcal vaccination come from surveys and other data sources.MethodsSystematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining vaccination coverage in Australian adults from 1990 to 2015, focusing on groups funded under the National Immunisation Program, and intervals prior to and following the introduction of universal funding.ResultsTwenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria; 18 used self-report to determine vaccination status. There were 130 unique estimates of coverage extracted. Among adults aged ≥65y, during the period of universal funding (1999-onwards), the summary estimate of annual influenza vaccination coverage from 27 point estimates was 74.8 % (95 % CI 73.4-76.2 %; range 63.9-82.4 %); prior to this period (1992-1998) from 10 point estimates it was 61.3 % (95 % CI 58.0-64.6 %; range 44.3-71.3 %). For the period of universal funding for pneumococcal vaccination (2005-onwards) the summary estimate for coverage was 56.0 % (95 % CI 53.2-58.8 %; range 51.2-72.8 %, 10 point estimates); prior to 2005 it was 35.4 % (95 % CI 18.8-52.0 %; range 15.4-45.2 %). Coverage for both vaccines was significantly higher following the introduction of universal funding. Influenza vaccination coverage in those aged 18-65 years with a medical indication was lower but data were not combined. Seven studies reported on Aboriginal Australians with three studies reporting five coverage estimates for influenza vaccination in adults ≥65 years (range 71 % - 89 %).ConclusionsAdult influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage has increased since the introduction of universal funding, but remains sub-optimal, with pneumococcal coverage lower than influenza.ImplicationsThis review highlights the need for more coverage data overall and in high risk groups, to support public health programs to improve coverage.

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