Vaccination coverage in South Australian kids has hit an all-time high as the Marshall Liberal Government forges ahead with its No Jab, No Play laws.
Recent data reveals five-year-old South Australians are leading the State in vaccination rates, with 94.9 per cent being fully immunised against a range of preventable diseases, according to the 2020 Report on Government Services.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the high vaccination rates were vindication of the Marshall Government’s strong No Jab, No Play laws and free vaccine programs.
“A decade ago, we were trailing slightly behind the other states with only 81.9 percent of five-year-olds in South Australia fully immunised,” Minister Wade said.
“This year’s result is the highest result we have had for this age group in 10 years of reporting, and I am pleased to see we are now consistent with the national average in this cohort.
“We have not only taken decisive action to improve vaccination rates among South Australian children but have led the world in free vaccines initiatives such as the Meningococcal B Program.
Last month, South Australia’s first No Jab, No Play laws came into effect, allowing childcare centres to exclude children during an outbreak whose caregivers have not provided vaccination details, and we are moving to lower the age of patients to whom pharmacists can provide flu vaccines to children as young as 10 years-old.”
Under strict new laws to be introduced by the Marshall Liberal Government this year, children who are not immunised will be excluded from childcare and kindergarten.
The Department for Health and Wellbeing’s Chief Public Health Officer, Associate Professor Nicola Spurrier, said it was encouraging to see childhood immunisation rates at an all-time high.
“Our coverage rates are edging closer to the national aspirational target of 95 per cent for two of the three cohorts,” Assoc. Prof Spurrier said.
“We know that vaccinations are the most effective way to prevent disease and childhood vaccinations are particularly vital, as children are more susceptible to severe illness.
“That’s why it is so vital that children complete their full recommended schedule of vaccinations at the recommended times to ensure they are fully protected against these diseases.
“Immunisation not only protects individuals but also others in the community by increasing the level of overall immunity and minimising the spread of disease.”
Time is also quickly running out for teenagers and young adults to start their free course of vaccines to protect against Meningococcal B.
Young people who are eligible for the free vaccine include anyone who was aged 17 to 21-years-old on 1 February 2019 when the program began.
Young people who have had their first dose of the vaccine during the catch-up period can complete their second dose with a funded vaccine, even after the catch-up program deadline of Saturday 29 February 2020 has ended.
More information on the Childhood Immunisation Program can be found at https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au.
