Despite the overall success of immunisations and ready availability of safe and effective vaccines, many vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) still occur in Australia. The consequences of this include:
- increased doctor visits
- absence from work and school
- hospitalisation
- permanent disability
- premature death.
Between 1989 and 1998, 581 deaths were recorded in Australia from diseases that could have been prevented by vaccines on the current childhood immunisation schedule:
- Measles
- Tetanus
- Pertussis
- Mumps
- Haemophilus influenzae type b
- Diphtheria
- Hepatitis B.
Report
Immunisation Strategy of Western Australia 2013-15 (PDF 3.3MB)