The percentage of children not being immunised in the Shoalhaven/Illawarra health district is low, according to an annual immunisation report.
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The NSW Annual Immunisation Coverage Report showed parents and carers in the region support the immunisation message.
It showed 93.4 percent of 24-month-olds, in the Shoalhaven/Illawarra area, were immunised and 94.9 percent of 12-month-olds had their injections.
The report documents trends in vaccination coverage in NSW across the age spectrum.
Data provided in the report reflected the continued successful delivery of the vaccination program in NSW with improved vaccination coverage achieved through a number of strategies including the Save the Date to Vaccinate campaign and smartphone app.
This annual report documents trends in immunisation coverage in NSW for children, adolescents and the elderly, up to and including data for 2016.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the report proved the NSW Government’s record investment in immunisation is paid off.
“Under the NSW Liberals & Nationals, we have seen the vaccination rate climb from 87.6 per cent under Labor in 2010, to its highest level ever,” Mr Hazzard said.
“NSW now also has the highest vaccination rates in Australia for Aboriginal children at five years of age, at 97 percent which is a phenomenal achievement.
“Together with parents we are working to keep our children safe from potentially deadly diseases and our new No Jab, No Play Laws will only strengthen these results.”
From January 1, children who are unvaccinated due to their parent’s objection to vaccination can no longer be enrolled in pre-schools and early childhood centres.
The NSW Government has committed $22.75 million in 2017-18 for immunisation programs, including $3.5 million for free flu shots for children aged from six months to five years old.
Dr Jeremy McAnulty, Executive Director of Health Protection at NSW Health, said vaccination is a safe and effective way of reducing death and disease among children.
“The scientific evidence is overwhelming that vaccination will protect children from serious illness and even death,” Dr McAnulty said.
“We urge parents to get their children vaccinated on time to protect them and the wider community.”
Vaccination rates were significantly lower among the elderly, with fewer than half (47 per cent) immunised against pneumococcal and 71.6 percent having the flu jab.
Northern NSW had the lowest vaccination rates at all three milestones, with 87.8 percent of one-year-olds fully vaccinated.
