Western Victoria PHN (WVPHN) has once again recorded nation-leading coverage rates for childhood immunisations according to the latest annualised data for March 2020.
Western Victoria has recorded the highest immunisation coverage in Australia for two year old children (94.67 per cent) and five year old children (96.49 per cent). We also have 96.45 per cent of one year old children fully immunised – ranking the second highest nationally.
WVPHN is also delighted to advise that 98.80 per cent of our five year old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are fully immunised.
The results are as a result of excellent collaborative efforts between WVPHN and its partners, Barwon Health and Warrnambool City Council, in providing support for an effective, high quality immunisation service to the western Victorian community.
Routine childhood immunisations help protect children against preventable diseases including diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio, pneumococcal disease, meningococcal C disease, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB), rotavirus, chickenpox (varicella), measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) and influenza.
National Immunisation Program (NIP) changes from 1 July 2020
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) is hosting a webinar – Upcoming National Immunisation Program changes: what you need to know, to provide an overview of the upcoming changes to the NIP and recommendations for pneumococcal, meningococcal and hepatitis A vaccination.
The session will be on Tuesday 16 June 2020, 1.00 pm – 2.00 pm via Zoom webinar. More information is available on the NCIRS website.
From 1 July 2020, there are a number of changes to the NIP coming into effect.
These changes are:
- Introduction of meningococcal B vaccination and changes to meningococcal ACWY vaccination.
- Hepatitis A vaccination schedule points for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in NT, Qld, SA and WA will change in consideration of the introduction of the meningococcal B vaccine.
- Pneumococcal vaccination schedule will change to reflect the current best clinical evidence in preventing pneumococcal disease in adults and in people with conditions that increase their risk of disease.
The changes are being implemented following recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and other clinical experts and are designed to improve protection against meningococcal and pneumococcal disease.
For more information, please visit the Department of Health website.
Western Victoria PHN Immunisation Program
The WVPHN Immunisation Program includes:
- Professional development for immunisation program staff
- Education and support with Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) registration, reporting processes and data transfer
- Immunisation information via HealthPathways and newsletters
- Annual immunisation forums in each sub-region
Families can find out further information on childhood vaccination by speaking with their GP or maternal and child health nurses. To find your closest GP, visit: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services