At the pointy end of kids vaccine figures: 96.2 per cent fully immunised

The  2015-2016 data, based on the National Immunisation Program Schedule was released in the the Healthy Communities report on Thursday.

Compared to a national average of 92.9 per cent, 96.2 per cent of five-year-olds in Cowra, 98.8 per cent in Young, and 97.5 per cent in Forbes and Parkes were fully vaccinated during that time period.

A Western NSW Local Health District spokesman said its immunisation team played a vital role in working with health professionals to ensure the immunisation coverage is at, or above the national average.

“Vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect yourself and children from vaccine preventable diseases,” he said.

“Vaccinating children, adolescents and adults is vitally important in preventing the spread of vaccine preventable diseases in our communities.

“Some of these diseases can cause significant mortality and morbidity in unvaccinated or under-vaccinated people.”

However, he said there are times when vaccination coverage may plateau.

“It is important that people are aware of their immunisation status and ensure their children’s vaccinations are up to date,” the spokesman said.

“We continue to see whooping cough and encourage people to protect themselves through vaccination and present to their doctor if they are experiencing a persistent cough.”

Along with having a high-rate of vaccinated five-year-olds, the four centres exceeded the national average in most other age groups.

For two-year-olds 91.7 per cent were vaccinated in Cowra,  93.8 per cent in Forbes and Parkes compared to 90.7 per cent nationally.

In Young the number of two year-olds vaccinated was below the national average at 89.8 per cent.

The rate of immunisation for one year-olds was also higher than the national average of 93 per cent in Parkes and Forbes at 96.7 per cent but lower than average in Cowra at 90.7 per cent and Young at 92.6 per cent.