HEALTH services across Queensland will be given financial incentives to boost immunisation rates under a new plan to be announced today to tackle low vaccination levels in some pockets of the state.
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg will give local hospital and health services a $3 million incentive to find new ways to vaccinate Queensland kids, in the state’s first vaccination incentive program.
And the state’s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young says this could extend to local health services going to the homes of unvaccinated children to make sure they receive their vaccinations.
The move comes after a two-week campaign by The Courier Mail to boost the state’s vaccination rates.
“This is the easiest way of being able to protect our community, it really is,” Mr Springborg said.
“We need to get to a vaccination rate of around 95 per cent … so these diseases are not able to take hold in the community.’’
At present, vaccination rates across the state range from 88 and 89 per cent on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast to 95 and 96 per cent in areas such as the Darling Downs and Central West.
The government has set a target rate of 95 per cent across all regions.
Mr Springborg said while Queensland had a strong statewide vaccination rate of 91.5 per cent, local strategies were needed to lift rates in lagging areas.
He said measures could include outreach services or reminder letters.
“Our wide range of communities, climates and cultures is best served through effective local strategies based on local knowledge,’’ he said.
The Metro North Brisbane Medicare Local area has vaccination rates well above the state average due to campaigns such as education sessions for health and childcare providers.
Marina Gobbi and son Lucas, 4, (right) benefit from the strong community outreach programs in the Metro North area.
“I go to different places to have him vaccinated,’’ she said. “It does worry me that people are not vaccinating their children, because it does save lives.’’
CHO Dr Young said the minimum threshold immunisation rate for financial incentive payments would be 90 per cent – up to a maximum of 95 per cent.
“What they probably need to think about is outreach, we know the kids that are not fully vaccinated, they need to go out and find them,’’ she said.
“Some of the services may work with the local government, some might work with schools, some might work with GPs — they will find innovative ways that meet their own community.’’
Source: Courier Mail