Colac Otway childhood immunisation rates exceed state average
Published on 26 June 2019
Colac Otway childhood immunisation rates exceed state average
Colac Otway Shire’s immunisation rates are among the highest in Victoria in two age brackets, with 100 per cent of children aged between 12 and 15 months fully immunised.
A report released by the Australian Immunisation Register, calculated at December 31, 2018, also showed that 49 of the 50 children in the 24-to 27-month age bracket in Colac Otway Shire, or 98 per cent, were fully immunised.
Forty-eight of the 50 children aged 60 to 63 months in Colac Otway were fully immunised, or 96 per cent.
Colac Otway’s immunisation rates compared positively against state-wide rates: 94.31 per cent of Victorian children (12-15 months) fully immunised; 91.17 per cent of Victorian children (24-27 months) fully immunised; and 95.52 per cent of Victorian children (60-63 months) fully immunised.
Colac Otway Shire Mayor Jason Schram said the Maternal & Child Health and Health Protection teams provided a great education program for families and should be congratulated on the role they played in the latest immunisation records.
“Victoria’s No Jab No Play laws mean parents or guardians seeking to enrol children in an early childhood service must provide evidence of their child’s immunisation, which provides a practical incentive for parents or guardians,” Cr Schram said.
“However, Colac Otway’s full immunisation rates exceeded a majority of other municipalities, so it’s important to recognise Council’s work to educate and make immunisation accessible to families across the shire.”
Council’s Health Protection Unit offers free immunisations for children as part of the National Immunisation Program including immunisation to protect children from life-threatening diseases, such as measles, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and many others.
Free childhood immunisations are offered at COPACC on the third Monday of each month and the first Thursday of each month.
Council also offers childhood vaccinations at Apollo Bay, manages the free immunisation service at schools and also offers flu vaccinations to eligible people, with families encouraged to contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on 52329400 for details.
To obtain information about your child's immunisation contact the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809. There is also a smart phone app available to remind parents when vaccinations are due.