Immunisation facts in 90 seconds

0:00 If you’re a mum, dad, or caregiver of a child 5 years and under.

0:06……. it’s important to know the facts about immunisation.

0:10 Over 93% of five-year-old children in Australia are fully vaccinated.

0:15 This is good but it’s still not high enough.

0:18 Some areas in our country have lower immunisation rates and this puts the whole community at risk……..  particularly newborn babies.

0:27 This is called community immunity.  When more children are vaccinated, it lowers the risk of serious diseases spreading in our communities.

0:35 All childhood diseases we vaccinate against in Australia, like whooping cough and measles… can cause serious illness, including death.

0:44 Vaccinations strengthen your child’s immune system.

0:48 They work by making your child’s body produce an immune response, including antibodies whose job it is to fight disease. 

0:55 Vaccines are proven to be a safe and effective way of protecting your child against these diseases.

1:01 In Australia we thoroughly test all vaccines available to the public for safety and effectiveness and continually monitor them.

1:09 Skipping or delaying vaccinations puts your child and those around you at risk of contracting serious diseases. 

1:16 That’s why it’s really important to immunise on time.

1:20 If you forget, speak to your doctor or child health nurse about catching up.

1:24 So remember, immunisation protects all our kids.

1:28 Immunisation saves lives.