With the new school year underway, children from all over are coming together and it is an important time to ensure your children are protected and up to date with their immunisations.

Parents will be asked to supply an immunisation record upon school enrolment to identify whether their child is fully protected from vaccine preventable diseases. In the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease, such as measles, children who are not immunised may need to be excluded from school.

Immunisations protect children against a range of severe diseases. The National Childhood Immunisation Program provides immunisation protection against:

•           Measles, mumps, rubella

•           Diphtheria, tetanus                

•           Pertussis (whooping cough)

•           Poliomyelitis

•           Varicella (chickenpox)

•           Hepatitis B

•           Haemophilus influenza type B

•           Rotavirus

•           Meningococcal C and

•           Invasive pneumococcal disease

Additionally, via a school-based program, human papillomavirus (HPV), varicella (chickenpox), diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccines are provided in Year 7 and 8. Parents are urged to ensure their child receives these free National Immunisation Program vaccines at school.

“Children need to receive their vaccinations on time to safeguard their long-term health, as well as the health of friends, classmates and others in the community. It is important that parents aware of vaccine schedules and their children’s immunisation history” said Dr Vicki Krause, Director of the NT Centre for Disease Control.

Dr Krause continued “The Northern Territory achieved a 92% immunisation coverage in the 4 year old age group last year. We aim to improve the coverage level to provide greater protection against preventable disease in Territory schools and child care centres.” 

Parents can find out about their child’s vaccination history from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register or by calling the NT Immunisation Register on 08 8922 8315 during office hours.

Immunisations on the National Immunisation Program are available for free from urban Primary Health Centres, general practitioners, Aboriginal Medical Services, or remote health clinics.

Contact numbers for urban Primary Health Centres are available at: http://www.health.nt.gov.au/service_locator/community_health_and_care_centres/index.aspx

More information about immunisation can be found on the NT immunisation website, http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Centre_for_Disease_Control/Immunisation/index.aspx

Media Contact: Dimitra Grehl 8999 2745 or 0401 116 203