Parents are being urged to take advantage of free immunisation sessions at Gisborne, Kyneton and Woodend this week, with health data showing too many Macedon Ranges parents are putting their children and others at risk by not having them properly immunised.
The latest Australian Childhood Immunisation Register data reveals that only 86.96 per cent of children aged between 12 and 15 months have been fully immunised.
The figure rises to 92.11 per cent of children at age five, but the Australian Medical Association maintains 93 per cent of children need to be vaccinated to stop the spread of disease.
Council’s assets and operations director Dale Thornton said while there had not been a significant change in take-up in recent years, it was hoped more children would be up to date after the state government’s ‘‘no jab, no play’’ policy came into effect on January 1.
The law requires all children to be fully vaccinated before they can attend childcare or kindergarten.
‘‘Immunisation is the safest and most effective way of giving protection against a disease,’’ Mr Thornton said.
‘‘After immunisation, your child is far less likely to catch the disease if there are cases in the community.
“If your child does catch the disease, illness is less severe and recovery is quicker compared to an unimmunised child.’’ Mr Thornton said it was important to remember that childhood diseases, such as measles and whooping cough, are serious and potentially fatal.
‘‘The risk of complications from disease is much higher than the risks of complications from immunisation,’’ he said.
‘‘If vaccination levels in the community fall too low, disease epidemics can reappear.’’
Vaccination app
Launching new app VaxonTime, Health Minister Jill Hennessy said an estimated 20 per cent of parents forgot when their child’s immunisations were due.
‘‘We know vaccinations save lives,’’ she said. ‘‘Immunisation is everyone’s responsibility, and there is no excuse for not immunising your child.’’
Council’s next immunisation sessions will be held this Thursday at Manna Gum Children’s Centre, Gisborne, from 9.15-10.30am, Kyneton Mechanics Institute from 12-12.30pm and Woodend Community Centre from 2.30-3pm.
More sessions will be held in Riddells Creek and Romsey later in the month. Details: 5422 0333
