The latest figures on childhood immunisation rates indicate the ACT remains ahead of the national benchmark, an achievement it has maintained consistently for five years, Chief Minister and Minister for Health Katy Gallagher said today.

In the June 2011 quarter data released by the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) shows the ACT is above the national average in all three reportable age ranges. The Territory recorded the highest national rate for children aged 12-15 months, the second highest for children 5 years of age, and the third highest for children aged 2 years, the Chief Minister said.

More than 90% of children in each of these age groups were reported as being fully vaccinated for their age. The report also shows the ACT is above the national average for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in every age range, and received the highest national immunisation coverage rates in children aged 2 and 5 years of age. The ACT Health Directorate is reminding parents to immunise their children to protect them against vaccine preventable diseases at the right time, the Chief Minister said. Children are due for immunisations at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 months of age and again at 4 years. Babies can safely receive their first immunisations from 6 weeks of age and the 4 year old immunisations can be given from when a child is 3 years and 6 months of age.

This is a result to be proud of, and has been achieved through Health Directorate, ACT Medicare Local and Medicare Australia forming strong partnerships to raise awareness of the value of immunisation and the importance of receiving vaccinations at the correct time. This is reflected in the excellent results that have been achieved, the Chief Minister concluded.

For more information on immunisation please visit www.health.act.gov.au