Immunization Coverage in Australia: Evidence based Script for the Poster

Running head: IMMUNIZATION
Immunization
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1IMMUNIZATION
Immunization Coverage in Australia:
Evidence based Script for the Poster:
Childhood Immunization Coverage is calculated as the percentage of children who
have received all the vaccines according to their ages as per the National Immunization
Program Schedule (Hu et al. 2015; Gibson et al. 2016). By measuring the immunization
coverage rate it is possible to keep a track of how much the people are protected against
preventable diseases. Vaccinations help the spread of diseases and help to develop ‘herd
immunity’. This type of immunity helps to protect individuals who are not vaccinated (such
as infants), people who cannot be vaccinated for medical conditions and people from whom
the vaccination did not work (Metcalf et al. 2015; Bordon 2017). Australia has a target for
immunization coverage of 95% which can help to develop herd immunity against diseases
such as measles or other diseases that can be prevented through vaccines (health.gov.au
2018a).
According to the Department of Health of the Australian Government, coverage of
immunization for children between the age of one and five years have increased since 2008,
however the target of 95% have not yet been met. As of September, 2018, the national
coverage rates were estimated to be 94.02% for one year old children, 90.63% for two year
old children and 94.62% for five year old children (health.gov.au 2018b). This has been
shown in the diagram below:

2IMMUNIZATION
(Figure 1 National Coverage Rates from 2008 to 2018; source: health.gov.au 2018b)
The figure shows that for 1 year olds the immunization rates have significantly
increased since 2008, with major improvements being made between 2008 to 2011 after
which the rate of increase of immunization coverage have declined, while for 2 year olds, the
rates of immunization have slightly reduced since 2008 and immunization coverage of 5 year
olds have remained more or less constant (health.gov.au 2018b).
Analysis of the coverage rates based on state and territories show that for 1 year old
children the states of South Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania and Victoria
had immunization coverage rates that were above the national target, while the national
average was estimated to be at 94.02% (health.gov.au 2018b). This is depicted in the diagram
below:

3IMMUNIZATION
(Figure 2: Coverage rates for 1 year olds. source: health.gov.au 2018b)
The immunization coverage was found to be low for 2 year olds, especially because the
recent changes to the immunization plan. The national average was estimated to be at 90.63%
which has been shown in the diagram below:
(Figure 3: Coverage rates for two year olds. source: health.gov.au 2018b)