Immunisation: no room for complacency, says health minister
7 February 2001
Australia has succeeded in reversing its appallingly low childhood immunisation rates, but there is no room for complacency.
That's the warning from Australia’s Federal Health Minister, Dr Michael Wooldridge, following the release of statistics showing that Australia now has high rates of childhood immunisation.
As at 31 December 2000, 91.3 per cent of children aged 12-15 months were fully immunised and 85.09 per cent of children aged 24-27 months were fully immunised for their age.
According to Dr Wooldridge, these figures contrast with a rate of only 53 per cent of Australian children who were fully immunised 5 years ago.
�None of us, however, can become complacent. Already new challenges are emerging, with an increased susceptibility to measles, mumps and rubella in young people aged 18 to 30 who have missed their booster vaccine and are now contracting these common childhood diseases in later life,’ said Dr Wooldridge.
He said that complacency and the virtual disappearance of childhood diseases in the community contributed to the slide in immunisation coverage in the past.
Last Reviewed: 08 February 2001
