08 February 2010

Statewide campaign urges our most vulnerable to be vaccinated

Deputy Premier and NSW Health Minister, Carmel Tebbutt, today launched a month-long campaign to encourage parents and carers to vaccinate their children against the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza, in preparation for a potentially severe influenza season this year. 

Ms Tebbutt said the statewide print and radio campaign will build on our strong campaign last year, renewing the call for everyone to get vaccinated against influenza, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

"During 2009, children in the 0 to 4 age group had the highest rate of hospitalisation from H1N1, with 269 cases being admitted to hospital in NSW – over 21 percent of all H1N1-related admissions," Minister Tebbutt said. 

"The vaccine was approved for children aged 6 months to ten years in early December 2009, and with many children now beginning or returning to daycare, preschool or primary school, it is the perfect time for parents to get their families vaccinated.

"A poster outlining the importance of vaccinating families has been distributed to over 3400 registered childcare providers and 150 councils throughout the state, as well as all Area Health Services and Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS). Anyone can download the poster from NSW Health’s pandemic influenza website.

"The latest data from our health survey indicates that approximately 20% of people in NSW have been vaccinated against Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza.

"Anyone wishing to protect themselves against Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza should visit their GP or Aboriginal Medical Service and ask for a free Panvax® vaccination. Children can also be vaccinated at most community health centres and council vaccination clinics.

"Some supplementary public health clinics will provide the vaccination over the next four weeks in areas where access to GPs or an AMS is limited. The clinics enable the whole family to easily drop in without an appointment and get their free vaccination," she said.

Minister Tebbutt said the vaccine will also be available through special initiatives, including programs in select antenatal and other specialist out-patient clinics and mobile vaccination clinics to remote Aboriginal communities.

"Dedicated vaccination nurses will be based at each of the three children’s hospitals in NSW for six months to target vulnerable children who attend as out-patients or are admitted as in-patients and their families," she added.

The Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, said last year’s pandemic had a strong impact on the community and it is likely that Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 will remain the predominant influenza strain in 2010.

"The Northern Hemisphere experienced an early start to their influenza season due to Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza and influenza activity remains high in many overseas areas," said Dr Chant.

"An early start to Australia’s influenza season is likely, which is why being prepared and getting your family vaccinated against pandemic influenza before the influenza season starts makes sense.

"It is also important to remember that it takes a couple of weeks for the vaccination to be fully effective, so now is the best time to get your free shot – and it couldn’t be easier with the number of health services currently offering the vaccine.

"Although the vaccine is strongly recommended for those who are most vulnerable to infection from pandemic influenza – the very young, pregnant women, Aboriginal people and people with chronic medical conditions – everyone should be vaccinated to protect themselves against pandemic influenza," Dr Chant added.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza facts (for the period 1 May to 3 February 2010)

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au