Geelong’s high immunisation rate celebrated

THE latest national immunisation data shows that immunisation rates in the City of Greater Geelong are higher than the national average for young children.

The data showed that the municipality’s immunisation rates were above the state and national average in children up to two years old (93 per cent, compared to 92 per cent and 92 per cent) and up to five years old (98 per cent, compared to 96 per cent and 95 per cent).

The data also showed Greater Geelong’s Indigenous immunisation rates for children exceeded state and national rates across the same age groups (100 per cent of babies aged 12-15 months and five-year-olds, and 96 per cent of two-year-olds).

The city’s immunisation program, run through Barwon Health, includes free immunisations for children and other eligible residents for vaccinations listed on the National Immunisation Program.

In 2017, Barwon Health immunised more than 23,000 people, protecting children against a range of diseases, including diptheria, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal, whooping cough, polio, tetanus and chickenpox.

Children are vaccinated from six-weeks-old up to the school immunisation programs for year 7 and year 10 students.

“It’s very pleasing to see Greater Geelong parents taking the lead and helping our region exceed Victorian and national immunisation rates,” Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood said.

“Immunising children is one of the most effective ways we can help stop preventable diseases and is essential to ensuring we have a healthier community.”

The city’s public immunisation program is offered at venues across Greater Geelong, including Ocean Grove, Newcomb, Newtown, Corio and Belmont. For more information, head to geelongaustralia.com.au/immunisation.

For more information about Barwon Health’s immunisation services, head to barwonhealth.org.au/immunisation-service or phone 4215 6962.