Belgrave GP hits out at people spreading "fear and misinformation" about childhood vaccination

HUNDREDS of Yarra Ranges and Knox children have not been immunised against diseases, prompting anger from a local GP.

Dennis Gration

HUNDREDS of Yarra Ranges and Knox children have not been immunised against contagious diseases, prompting a local GP to slam those he says are spreading “fear and misinformation” about childhood vaccinations.

The Yarra Ranges has Victoria’s second-worst rate for vaccinating five-year-olds, with only 88 per cent keeping up with their shots while 236 children missed out, according to new figures from the National Health Performance Authority.

This compares to 92 per cent of five-year-olds in Knox.

The figures, for 2011-12, place Knox around the state average, with 130 one-year-old children, 107 two-year-olds and 143 five-year-olds not fully vaccinated.

In the Yarra Ranges, the figures show 157 one-year-olds and 167 two-year-olds were not fully immunised.

Belgrave Medical Clinic GP Dennis Gration said that there were some people in the community actively working against good medical practice and science.

“There’s an element of people in the hills who don’t ­believe in immunisations,” he said.

“They’re preying on people’s fears and that can cause harm.”

He said he was distressed that some chiropractors and naturopaths were making parents wary of immunising their children, even though they “don’t have sufficient knowledge of the discipline of immunology to give appropriate advice”.

“It’s sad because we still see children with measles and whooping cough. These things are still about,” Dr Gration said.

"Those who aren’t immunised act as a risk group to carry diseases.’’

He encouraged parents to consult with their GPs for advice on immunisations.

“The overwhelming scie­n­tific evidence is that it is beneficial,” Dr Gration said.

Eastern Melbourne Medicare Local chief executive Kristin Michaels said Knox recorded the highest immunisation rates in the catchment, a "resoundingly positive" result that could still be improved.

"We would like to see this rate improve, for the betterment of the community’s health,’’ Ms Michaels said.