Victoria reaches ‘herd immunity’ for first time with record vaccination levels

INNER Melbourne parents are still shunning vaccines with the third lowest immunisation rates of all Victorian local government areas. INTERACTIVE: Check vaccination rates where you live

VICTORIA has hit the record level of immunisation coverage required to protect even the state’s most vulnerable, but there are still pockets of the state lagging well behind.

Inner Melbourne parents are still shunning vaccines with the third lowest immunisation rates of all Victorian local government areas, however even in the city centre coverage rates are improving.

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Health Minister Jill Hennessy will on Thursday announce Victoria’s population has passed the 95 per cent immunisation target necessary to stop dangerous diseases such as measles spreading through the community.

“Victoria has now achieved ‘herd immunity’ for the first time in history,” she said.

“That means we have the best defence possible to fight and stop the spread of deadly, vaccine-preventable diseases.”

High rates of vaccination provide a buffer that prevents highly virulent diseases spreading through the community to reach those who cannot receive vaccines, including babies who are too young or people those with medical conditions such as lowered immune systems.

Of Victoria’s 79 local government areas only 26 now have immunisation rates below the critical threshold of 95 per cent for five-year-old children — compared to 54 under-vaccinated regions five years ago.

Areas of regional Victoria are leading the charge, with the shires of Alpine, Buloke, Central Goldfields, Queenscliffe, Strathbogie and Yarriambiack all recording 100 per cent of five-year-old being fully vaccinated.

Swan Hill, Shepparton, Moyne and Ararat have also made huge gains.

The lowest rates of vaccinations are in Hindmarsh in the state’s west, where less than 87 per cent of children are fully immunised — a drop off of seven per cent in just five years.

Mount Alexander, centred on Castlemaine, also has only 87.8 per cent of five-year-olds vaccinated.

In central Melbourne 88.21 per cent of children are immunised, however the city has managed the state’s greatest increase after having just 80 per cent vaccination coverage five years ago.

Ms Hennessy said the government’s reintroduction of free whooping couch vaccinations, No Jab No Play laws, and recent strengthening of regulations surrounding exemptions was reaping rewards.

“Despite rogue practitioners still trying to tout misinformation Victorian parents are listening to science. And that’s great news,” she said.

“But there’s still more work to do in some areas of our state, and we’re going to continue working with parents, early childhood centres and the health sector to get the right information out there.”

INSIDE THE ANTI-VACCINATION CULT

Royal Children’s Hospital nurse practitioner Sonja Elia gives Mackenzie, 17 months, a vaccination injection. Picture: Jason Edwards

Royal Children’s Hospital immunisation nurse practitioner Sonja Elia said No Jab No Play laws were prompting families previously opposed to vaccination to seek out professional advice, resulting in many gaining information that changed their mind.

“When they look at the internet they are not getting good evidence-based research on the importance and safety of vaccinations, so when they come in here and speak to a clinician who has more of an understanding they can make an informed decision about immunisation,” she said.

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