Central Queensland’s youth vaccination rates on the decline Chris Ison
CENTRAL Queensland is one of eleven regions across the state not meeting child immunisation targets.
Only 92.8% of one-year-olds, 93% of two-year-olds and 92% of three-year-olds are fully immunised in the region.
Immunisation targets sit at 95% to ensure adequate community protection.
The Australian Medical Associate said mobile vaccination vans and free transport to immunisation hubs were urgently needed to help stop young Queenslanders dying from preventable diseases.
AMA’s Dr Shaun Rudd said easy access was the key to saving lives.
“The State Government should provide free local transport or mobile clinics to reach the hundreds of kids still at risk of contracting or spreading preventable diseases such as whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella,” he said.
“The benefit of having full immunity is priceless.”
Dr Rudd said getting GPs into the community would allow them to counter the myths and misinformation about vaccinations.
“The number of so-called conscientious objectors across the state is still in the thousands,” he said.
“Each one of those objectors poses a great risk to the community and we believe doctors armed with facts are the best way to change minds.”
AMA Queensland’s five year Health Vision calls for:
- Mobile immunisation clinics staffed by doctors which would send immunisation information to the patient’s regular GP.
- A patient transport plan to help people needing vaccinations travel to and from their appointments.
- A commitment to consider ways in which Queensland Health can assist GP practices to identify and contact patients who need to update their immunisation.