A new report to be released today, reveals that the rates of child immunisation in some parts of Australia are low.
Frighteningly, dangerously low.
While Australia has a generally good vaccination rate (upwards of 90% in most areas), there are certain communities that are falling victim to the spread of misinformation and scare-mongering that suggests vaccinations can actually do more harm than good.
The result? The number of kids who are not vaccinated is far too high and the concentration of non-immunised kids in some parts of the country are enough to contribute to the spread of contagious and potentially deadly diseases.
Upwards of 1 in 5 children (20 percent!) in some Australian communities are not fully immunised, putting them and others in the community at significant risk of whooping cough, measles and meningitis. Terrifying – and outrageous that some in our community are putting others needlessly at risk.
1. The Richmond Valley Coastal region of NSW (which includes Lismore and Ballina), where 17.53% of 1 year olds, 19.69% of 2 year olds and a whopping 21.17% of 5 year olds aren’t fully vaccinated.
2. Fremantle in Western Australia, where 18.3% of 5 year olds and 15.3% of 1 year olds are not fully immunised.
3. Inner city Adelaide, where immunisation is strong in the early years but 21.2% of 5 year olds are not up to date with their vaccination schedule.
4. Suburban Darwin, where only 16.1% of 5 year olds are fully immunised.
5. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland area in Queensland, where 16.3% of 5 year olds aren’t vaccinated.
The high income eastern suburbs of Sydney are also surprisingly high on the list, when it comes to families who aren’t fully immunising their little ones.
By failing to vaccinate their children, parents don’t just put their own children at risk but also other babies, children and adults in the community. Mamamia’s publisher and pro-vaccination campaigner Mia Freedman explains that:
Let’s be very clear. Those who refuse to immunise their children are not just risking their own children’s health but the lives of others in the community. Vaccinations are not perfect – occasionally, those who have been immunised can still contract the disease – but they are the best we’ve got to protect us against incurable diseases.
We all rely on the immunity of others to protect us, particularly those who are too young to be immunised and anyone with an illness that suppresses their immune system (such as cancer). They are our most vulnerable and high levels of immunisation in the community (above 95%) are crucial for their welfare.
Across Australia more than 77,000 children are not fully immunised. And when rates of un-immunised children are high in any particular area, then the chances of an outbreak of a preventable but potentially deadly illness – are also high. As a result, the contents of this report are hugely important – most particularly for parents, families, and children living in the areas where so many children haven’t been vaccinated.
OK, so why on earth would a loving and caring parent choose not to vaccinate their child against diseases such as measles and whooping cough? Because of the twisted, proactive work of anti-vaxers such as the Australian Vaccination Network (AVN). Or, as it should be called, the Anti-Vaccination Network.
Who are the AVN, you ask?
They’re anti-vaccination campaigners whose modus operandi is to use deliberate misinformation, junk ‘science’ and bogus unqualified ‘experts’ to spread fear and lies. In other words? They scare the hell out of parents to stop them vaccinating their kids and potentially putting all our kids at risk.
The stories of parents who have sadly fallen victim to this kind of misinformation are simply heart breaking. We have extensively covered these stories on Mamamia and you can read more here, and here, and here.
Now. If you agree that vaccinations are of paramount importance and if you refuse to buy into the misinformation and scare campaigns spread by the AVN and other anti-vaccination groups, then we need your help. It’s time to speak up and spread the word.
Even if you don’t have kids but want them one day, it’s crucial we increase awareness so the vaccination rate goes up and as a community, we can better protect the most vulnerable among us – including newborns – from deadly PREVENTABLE diseases.
The Mamamia Vaccination Pledge has already been used to spread the word to more and more parents about the importance of vaccination. By signing and sharing this pledge, you can lend your support and help to better protect our community.
Health Minister Tanya Plibersek puts it most simply and clearly, saying: “Immunisation saves lives”.
Please help us do exactly that.
Top Comments
I live in number one on your list and there is currently whooping cough and measles outbreaks
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This article infuriates me. Where are the figures on the incredible increase in the contraction or spread of diseases prevented by these vaccinations? Is there are higher morbidity rate of babies born in these communities? Are there numerous babies being hospitalised for Whooping Cough or Chickenpox all because of the lack of vaccinations? And where is the information or response provided by the Anti-Vaccine brigade? Have you even LOOKED at their argument or researched their reasons and evidence?
I had most of my babies whilst working in remote aboriginal communities across the country. Those communities suffer because of poor education, poor health and living conditions that make the third world look appealing. There was hardly a child among them who had had all of their vaccinations. My kids grew up in these communities, they played and went to school with all the children like they would in any other town... and yet they've all grown up without contracting any god-awful illnesses, they aren't affected at all. In fact, they are blessed with open minds that don't decide that someone's health status must be attained before they make a decision as to whether or not they are allowed to be friends with them.
A little thorough research and understanding would go a very long way with Mamamia. There seems to be a massive gap between the ideas of your articles and the vast reality that the rest of us live in.