Immunisation Week - sounds nasty, but really it’s important!
Australia’s first ever Immunisation Week held from 23 – 29 April 2012 is a great time for parents to consider the vaccination needs of their children, particularly adolescent children.
Victoria currently achieves 92 per cent coverage for free vaccines given to babies and children compared to an estimated 75 per cent for adolescents.
“While Victorian parents are very vigilant about immunisation for babies and young children, we need to ensure that they are aware of the crucial vaccinations available for free in the teen years,” explained Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Rosemary Lester.
“Young people are still vulnerable to disease while they mature into adulthood and immunising against preventable disease is just as important for adolescents as it is for babies and younger children – for their health and the health of those around them,” she said.
“Even though they’re big kids now they still need their parents to take care of their immunisation needs and protect them against preventable diseases such as diphtheria and tetanus,” Dr Lester said.
Advice for parents of babies and children up to age four
- Find out which free immunisations your child is eligible for and when.
- If your child is one or two years old, they are eligible for a free supplementary dose of the enhanced pneumococcal (flu) vaccine until 30 September 2012.
- Protect your baby by protecting yourself with a free whooping cough vaccine for parents, which is available until 30 June 2012.
Advice for parents of adolescents
- Find out which free immunisations your adolescent is eligible for and when.
- Keep an eye out in school bags and school newsletters for information about school vaccination sessions, if they are in Year 7 and Year 10.
- Promptly complete and return consent forms for free vaccinations offered at school.
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