The Department of Health has launched a new campaign encouraging parents and carers in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to have their children vaccinated on time for the best protection against a range of diseases.
In a statement, the Department said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples suffered higher rates of some vaccine-preventable diseases, so extra vaccines were available free through the National Immunisation Program.
“Vaccination rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have decreased over recent periods, particularly at one and two years of age,” the Department said.
“It is important to establish positive immunisation behaviour early in your children’s lives.”
It said skipping or delaying vaccinations put children and those around them at risk of catching serious diseases.
“It’s important children receive their routine vaccines in line with the Childhood Immunisation Schedule on time, every time, for the best protection,” the Department said.
“The campaign builds on the previous two phases of the Childhood Immunisation Education Campaign and will reach parents through search, social and online channels.”
It said creative materials developed for this audience highlighted the benefits of immunising children under five against serious diseases and the importance of vaccinating on time.
More information about the Department’s new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Routine Childhood Immunisation Campaign can be accessed at this PS News link.
