FOLLOWING A long-term trend, the 2481 postcode which includes Byron Bay, Suffolk Park, Myocum and Skinners Shoot has a disappointing 73.2% immunisation rate for five-year-olds.
A report released in June (Immunisation Rates for Children in 2015/16) shows that immunisation rates across the whole of Australia for five-year-olds – including the North Coast – are for the first time on average above 90%.
But Byron Bay, Suffolk Park, Myocum and Skinners Shoot are lagging behind by around 17%.
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North Coast Primary Health Network’s (NCPHN) Senior Project Officer Tiffany Sullivan said that local immunisation information was helpful so that health system managers could understand what’s happening in different communities and where improvements were needed.
‘Immunisation is a safe and effective way of reducing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases in the community and protecting against potentially serious health problems.
“Even though most Australian kids are immunised, it’s important to maintain high immunisation rates to protect the community, including vulnerable groups such as babies who are too young to receive their vaccines,” she said.
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North Coast Primary Health Network (NCPHN) is working with GPs to ensure they are equipped and comfortable having conversations with patients who are uncertain about vaccinating their children.
During July 2017 NCPHN is holding a series of seminars across the North Coast for immunisation providers to lift the rates of childhood immunisation and help protect the community.