IMMUNISATION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Immunisation is one of the great
public health success stories, having prevented more suffering and saved more lives than
any other medical intervention in this century. It is one of the safest, most effective
procedures in modern preventive medicine1,2.
The
1989-90 National Health Survey3 reported that only 53% of Australian children
aged less than six years were fully immunised against vaccine preventable diseases. The
report also showed that children from single parent families, lower income families, and
those born of parents born in the Middle East and Asia were less likely to be fully
immunised. In view of the demographics of South Western Sydney (SWS), it is likely that
the immunisation rates in SWS are lower than the average rates in NSW and Australia.
The
results of the April 1995 National Survey4 are consistent with these earlier
findings and show that for most conditions covered by the National Health and Medical
Research Council’s (NHMRC) Standard Childhood Vaccination Schedule, the
proportion of children fully immunised was relatively high at younger ages but declined
among older children. For example, while 88% of children aged one year were fully
immunised against diphtheria and tetanus, this had declined to 45% at six years of age.
The
results of the National Health Surveys and the continuing unacceptable rate of vaccine
preventable diseases in SWS has led to the need to reassess immunisation service delivery
and the effectiveness of the current approach to immunisation.
The following issues underpin the plan:
1. There is an unacceptable level of morbidity and
mortality in SWS as a result of vaccine preventable disease, and a clear need to reduce
the incidence of these conditions.
2. Age appropriate immunisation rates are
inadequate in South Western Sydney and there is a clear need to increase levels of
protection offered by age appropriate immunisation to the children of South Western
Sydney.
3. Immunisation rates should increase within a
community if that community recognises that immunisation is important for the well being
of their children.
4. Immunisation needs to be addressed through a
coordinated, cooperative and well planned approach by those within and beyond the health
system.
5. There is a need to address immunisation issues
at both the local level and across the Area, in conjunction with state and national
approaches.
This Plan
outlines an approach to reduce the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases among the
residents of SWS. The goals to improve immunisation in SWS are consistent with the Area
Health Service's goals to improve health and access; improve quality and services; and
improve the management of resources. In addition, the goals and targets for vaccine
preventable diseases identified in the Health Goals and Targets for Australian Children
and Youth have been taken into account.
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