April 2005

Immunisation awareness campaign targets Colac children

An awareness campaign in Colac aims to increase the immunisation rate among four to seven-year-olds.

The Colac/Otway Immunisation Awareness Campaign pilot program is a partnership between the Otway Division of General Practice (ODGP), Colac Otway Shire, Department of Human Services and the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR).

It was launched at Colac’s Apex Kindergarten to address the consistently-low immunisation rates among four to seven-year-olds over the last five years–prompting concerns for their health.

‘It’s a matter of concern that a group of people within our community is missing out on the benefits immunisation has on quality of life,’ said ODGP’s Dr Tony Brown, Immunisation Program Manager.

‘Vaccination is still the best proven way to address the occurrence of serious and often preventable diseases in our children.’

The program has prioritised the increase of immunisation rates, follow-ups with children who are incompletely immunised, completion of all scheduled immunisations and raised awareness among parents of the importance of immunisation for their children.

Many pre-school age children in the region took part in a colouring-in competition—with the prize of a bike and helmet being awarded to the best entry courtesy of Colac Toyworld—to herald the campaign.