New clinic to fill jab gaps
A special clinic is opening in Queensland aimed specifically at helping children who are not vaccinated due to complex medical conditions.
The Queensland Specialist Immunisation Service - based at the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in Brisbane – is designed to boost immunisation rates to protect our most vulnerable.
The $1.6 million State Government project has been set up with a vie w to extending across Queensland through tele-health.
It also includes a dedicated hotline for regional doctors to call the clinic and get specific advice for patients.
The vaccine program will be particularly welcome for children with cystic fibrosis, cancer, have had transplants or other major procedures, or who are otherwise at risk.
“We will have specialised doctors and nurses who will help those children who may have complex health needs,” Health Minister Cameron Dick said.
Recent figures have shown an increase in immunisation rates for children in some age groups in Queensland.
For example, the rate of vaccination for one-year-old children has risen from 91.7 per cent to 93.3 per cent in the past 12 months.
For two-year-olds, the immunisation rate is up to 91.9 per cent from 89 per cent the year before, but the rate remains unchanged at 92.7 per cent for children aged five.
The Queensland Government wants a 95 per cent full immunisation rate for all Queensland by 2017.
“We've contacted 38,000 families directly, of children who are not up to their current or proper immunisation levels,” Mr Dick said.
“We've put them in contact with GPs or clinics across Queensland.
“We need to get the message out, constantly, that immunisation can help save lives.
“It's not just children who benefit, adults benefit from children being immunised as well.”