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Free
childhood influenza vaccine still available
Around 5000 Perth children had received influenza vaccine
in the first two weeks of the program according to Dr Paul Van Buynder,
Director of Communicable Disease Control.
The numbers were a little less than expected but delays in
vaccine production meant some GPs did not have vaccine available when
parents first made appointments.
Dr Van Buynder said the Department of Health was pleased
that delays had been overcome and there was now plenty of vaccine
available.
Young children under five are much more likely to become
seriously ill with influenza, to be admitted to hospital with illness,
and in some cases die as a result.
Children who accessed the vaccine in the first week of
April are now due to have the second dose.
ìChildren need two doses of vaccine at least a month
apart to be fully protected against influenza,î Dr Van Buynder said.
ìParents should book appointments to organise the second dose.î
Flu season is still about six weeks away, so it is not too
late for your child to have their first dose if they have not had it.
Free vaccine is available for all children born after from
General Practitioners or the Central Immunisation Clinic in Rheola St,
West Perth.
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