E&OE…
Topics: Record child immunisation rates, $80 million investment in eye medication under the PBS
KARL STEFANOVIC:
Well, more Australian parents are getting their children vaccinated than ever before, according to new figures out today from the federal government. But there are still some problem areas. For more I’m joined by Health Minister Greg Hunt.
Greg, good morning to you.
GREG HUNT:
Good morning, Karl.
KARL STEFANOVIC:
Let’s start with the good news this morning; the program is working on average across Australia.
GREG HUNT:
That’s right. What we’ve seen is an increase in immunisation rates from effectively 91.5 per cent to just over 94.6 per cent across the country for five year-olds. That’s incredibly important, whether it’s in relation to measles or whooping cough, rubella. And ultimately that’s about building to a situation where the population is safe. And the more kids that are vaccinated, the more kids that are protected, both in themselves but in terms of preventing any spread of disease. So, it’s a real national success.
KARL STEFANOVIC:
Yeah, that is a terrific average and you’re to be congratulated on that. It’s not all rosy, though. Let’s have a look at some of the problem areas, some of the suburbs around New South Wales, for example. And I think somewhat surprising are the rates in some of these suburbs are pretty bad. The lower north shore of Sydney; Mosman, Manly and the eastern suburbs of Sydney, all have averages well below the national immunisation rates. Also in the Byron Bay area the rates are almost 10 per cent lower than average. That’s a real cause for concern.
GREG HUNT:
It is a cause for concern and you’re absolutely right. What we see is in fact that in Indigenous Australia, the rates are about 96.6 per cent, so up to 2 per cent higher than the national average. But in some of the better off areas, particularly inner suburban areas, the immunisation rates are lower. Now, that’s…
KARL STEFANOVIC:
Why?
GREG HUNT:
Well, clearly that’s parental choice and a particular view amongst some parents. But we have to say immunisation saves lives. As the great Ian Frazer – a former Australian of the Year, one of the developers and the sort of lead researcher on Gardasil for- a vaccine for cervical cancer or the HP- human papillomavirus which leads to it, this vaccination is absolutely critical to protecting young children and children of all ages. So, the message is vaccination is safe, it works, it’s fundamental. And I’ve met, sadly, parents who have lost their children who were pre-vaccination age because they were in an area where there was low vaccination rates. So, we have to keep driving forward to make sure that as many children as possible are vaccinated.
KARL STEFANOVIC:
I agree with you but some of these areas – Mossman, Manly, the eastern suburbs of Sydney – parents are choosing not to have their kids vaccinated. I mean, how do you get the message through?
GREG HUNT:
Well, whether it’s a program such as this which is making the point that vaccination isn’t just safe but that it’s fundamental. It’s the particular campaigns that we have been running and then we have the No Jab No Pay program in relation to welfare and No Jab, No Play program in relation to child care at the state level. So, we keep driving forwards. Our figures have gone up by 3 per cent since 2013. But we can and must continue to do better, because it’s literally a matter of life and death in some cases for these children. And having met parents that have just the absolute grief of having lost their children, I know that there is very little that’s more important than vaccinating children.
KARL STEFANOVIC:
I agree with you. So, keep charging in those areas. Just on another note now finally, can everyone in your party please, please get over Malcolm? People at home just don’t want to hear about it.
GREG HUNT:
Well, I think to take your advice, I’ll keep moving forward to not talk about it. That’s the thing. Look, my days are focused on whether it’s vaccination, whether it’s new listing for eye medicine that will help 4500 people deal with blood clots in the eyes or macular degeneration and save up to $7000 a year, they’re the things that are real world for thousands of Australians. And that’s my focus and I think that’s the focus of the vast majority of people on the Coalition side who are in parliament. And it’s certainly Scott’s focus.
KARL STEFANOVIC:
Have you had to see to – as Health Minister – ScoMo after he was bruised and battered over the weekend?
GREG HUNT:
Oh, he’s pretty resilient. He gets up – and that’s the thing about him – everyday he goes and he goes and he goes. And he’s driven by the fact he’s a boy from the Shire, loves his family, loves his league and loves the country. And he’s pretty tough.
KARL STEFANOVIC:
That’s all we can all hope for in the morning, to get up.
GREG HUNT:
Yes.
KARL STEFANOVIC:
Good on you, Greg, thank you so much. And well done on those national figures. It’s really important for this country. Thank you.
GREG HUNT:
Thanks Karl, cheers.