The RACGP has raised concerns that parents are falling victim to vaccine misinformation on social media, arguing COVID-19 vaccination rates in children have fallen off dramatically. 

Some 5000 children aged 5-11 received their first shot each day over the course of last week, compared with 47,000 a day a month ago.

With 49% having now received their first dose, RACGP vice-president Dr Bruce Willett stressed it was still relatively early in the rollout.

But there were signs of hesitancy — even among parents who had been vaccinated themselves, he said.