Strong childhood immunisation rates

Australian parents continue to protect their children from disease at record rates.

In the 2021 second quarter, results show Australia remains above the national immunisation target of 95% for all five-year olds at 95.18%.

This is the third consecutive quarter Australians have been above the 95% target.

The five-year-old immunisation rates are additionally well above the estimated World Health Organisation (WHO) international average immunisation coverage rate of 83% in 2020.

The Australian Government invests over $450 million each year through the National Immunisation Program, providing free vaccines to protect against 17 disease groups for eligible Australians, including children, adolescents, the elderly, pregnant women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Among two-year olds, the coverage rate has increased to 92.63% for the 12 months to June 2021. One-year old children have a coverage rate of 94.85%.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at five years of age continue to have the highest coverage rate of any group at 97.12%.

The coverage rate for two-year old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children increased to 91.96% while the rate for one-year olds is 93.36%.

Parents and carers continue to show their confidence in Australia’s expert medical advice to keep their children protected and safe from life threatening illness.

For more information, please visit health.gov.au.

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