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Immunisation rules set to change

Posted on December 1, 2008, 11:11am

From January 1 parents and guardians will need to have their children immunised within one month of their fourth birthday to retain their childcare subsidy.

Under new changes to the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register, a child is considered overdue for vaccination at the age of four years and one month, while currently vaccinations are considered overdue when a child turns five.

Limestone Coast Division of General Practice immunisation coordinator Nalata Drew warned overdue immunisations could affect childcare subsidies once parents enrol their children into childcare.

Recommendations to change the rule were first made in May 2000 due to a number of South Australian parents who refrained from having their children vaccinated until they started school at the age of five.

“Hopefully the new rule will raise the low percentage rate of vaccinations,” she said.

Ms Drew said parents of children over the age of four years and one month would be notified in writing and reminded to have their children vaccinated.

“Children whose immunisation are considered overdue can still be immunised,” she said.

For more information phone your local GP, a child and youth health nurse or Ms Drew on 8733 0160.

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Comments

One Response to “Immunisation rules set to change”

  1. Pyrrho on December 1st, 2008 12:23 pm 1

    It’s a shame that we have to employ such measures to get people to immunise their kids. Still, if it results in only one less case of pertussis, or measles, it will be worth it.

    Even if it cost thousands, there should be zero hesitation to immunise.

    What is even more disturbing is the amount of misinformation that gets peddled about this subject, and the number of parents that believe it over good evidence based medicine