The Federal Government’s new $11 million COVID-19 and flu vaccination ad campaign will not convince parents to have their children immunised, according to a leading vaccine uptake expert.

Paediatrician Associate Professor Margie Danchin says the problem with the campaign is it fails to address why people are hesitant to have a COVID-19 booster or their child vaccinated.

Research showed parents were avoiding COVID-19 vaccination because they were worried about side-effects, thought their child would not get sick or was protected by past infection, she said.

But the “non-descript” ad encouraging vaccinations for 5-11-year-olds did not tackle these issues.