Despite maintaining relatively high routine vaccinations among children in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a concerning downward trend in childhood immunisation coverage rates over the past two years, particularly for First Nations children[1].
The Australian Government is launching a public awareness campaign aimed at improving childhood vaccination rates across the country.
The ‘One More Way You Keep Them Safe’ campaign highlights the importance of vaccinating children according to the National Immunisation Program schedule, emphasising that vaccination is just one of the many things parents and carers can do to keep their children safe. The campaign encourages parents and carers to seek information from trusted sources and reassures them about the benefits of childhood vaccination.
The campaign website provides information and a range of resources that are currently available. Promotion will include developing ways to reach First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse populations, with information translated into Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese. New resources will be developed and added as the campaign is rolled out over the coming months.
Additional information for health professionals on the following topics is available:
- HealthPathways: Immunisation – Childhood
- Catch-up immunisations
- Immunisation clinical support
- Storing, handling and administering vaccines
- Using the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
- Reporting and managing adverse vaccination events
- Immunisation for health care workers
Information for Your Patients
It is essential that parents and carers are aware of the benefits of immunising their children and seek information from trusted sources. At their next consultation, please discuss the vaccinations recommended for their children and whether they have a medical condition that requires additional vaccines.
Patients can visit the campaign website for information on what to expect at appointments and possible side effects.
There are also answers to a list of frequently asked questions available for patients, based on the latest evidence and proven advice.
Thursday 20 April 2023
[1] Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (2023), Australian Government: New campaign to improve childhood vaccination rates. Access by: https://mvec.mcri.edu.au/australian-government-new-campaign-to-improve-childhood-vaccination-rates/