AMA protests Government's immunisation schedule
Chair of the AMA's Child and Youth Health Committee, Dr Michael Rice, said today the AMA is withdrawing its support for the Department of Health and Ageing's booklet, Understanding Childhood Immunisation, in protest at the Government's failure to fully fund the Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule (ASVS).
Dr Rice said the AMA would only support the booklet if the Government reinstates funding to the ASVS as recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
"Australia now has two immunisation schedules: one which is recommended, on the best scientific evidence, by the NHMRC, but not fully funded by Government; and another which the Australian Government is prepared to fund (the National Immunisation Program)," Dr Rice said.
"Previous editions of the immunisation booklet have been a valuable and comprehensive source of information for parents that have undoubtedly helped raise childhood immunisation rates in Australia.
"The rates of full ASVS immunisation in Australia have also risen substantially since payments of the Child Care Benefit and the Maternity Immunisation Allowance were dependent on compliance with the ASVS immunisation schedule.
"Parents are now being told they will be eligible for these benefits even if their children are NOT fully immunised according to the ASVS.
"The underfunded recommended ASVS is now confusing to parents, general practitioners and other immunisation providers. Centrelink staff should be aware that the current definition of 'fully immunised' does not mean children have been immunised according to the recommended schedule.
"All recommended vaccines should be fully funded, making them available to all Australian children," Dr Rice said.
The AMA encourages other organisations, which previously endorsed the statement, to exert similar pressure on the Government.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306