Get the jab, MP urges

PARENTS are being urged to vaccinate their children against chickenpox and polio.
Flinders MP Greg Hunt has encouraged local parents to take up the Australian Government’s chickenpox vaccinations now available free to children born on or after 1 May 2004 when they turn 18 months old.
“The National Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccination Program also has a longterm catchup component for one group of children aged between 10 to 13 years who have not received the vaccine or who have not had the disease,” Mr Hunt said.
“Children will also be able to receive injectable inactivated polio vaccine instead of oral polio vaccine.
“Both these new vaccines will cost $138.8 million over five years.”
Mr Hunt said parents previously had to pay up to $55 per dose for the varicella vaccine while the oral polio vaccine was available free under the National Immunisation Program.
“Chickenpox has the potential to cause serious complications such as skin infections, pneumonia and inflammation of the brain. In some cases, the illness is fatal.
“Each year seven Australians die from chickenpox and around 240,000 people are affected, resulting in 1500 hospitalisations.
“However, it is preventable and vaccination provides the best possible protection against the disease,” Mr Hunt said.
Eligible people will need to visit their local doctor or immunisation provider to ask for the vaccine.