Barwon Health reports child vaccination rates stable in region
Barwon Health says the region has “fortunately” avoided a drop in childhood vaccination rates, despite concerns about Victorian parents skipping immunisations amid the COVID-19 lockdown.
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Barwon Health says the region has “fortunately” avoided a drop in childhood vaccination rates, despite concerns about Victorian parents skipping immunisations amid the COVID-19 lockdown.
The Royal Children‘s Hospital immunisation service has seen a concerning decrease in presentations since June, with almost two out of three families delaying or cancelling their appointments.
Barwon Health immunisation service clinical co-ordinator Caroline Poynder said the service was still seeing high numbers of clients at its vaccination sites, with recent data showing very good coverage for the Western Victorian Primary Health Network.
“We are fortunate to have avoided a drop in vaccination rates, as delaying immunisation makes children more susceptible to catching vaccine-preventable diseases and has a flow-on effect of decreasing herd immunity, which is required to protect the vulnerable (unable or too young to be immunised) in the community,” Ms Poynder said.
“Fortunately, our region sits above the 95 per cent vaccination rate required for herd immunity for all children under the age of five.
“Barwon Health changed to an appointment-only service delivery model in early March for all sessions, which ensures clients are easily able to socially distance.”
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Originally published as Barwon Health reports child vaccination rates stable in region