THE Federal Government has commenced a new campaign to target parents with the message that they need to vaccinate their children.
Areas of low vaccination rates in one, two and five year olds will be "micro targeted" in every state and territory under the second phase of the 'Get the Facts about Immunisation' campaign.
Although immunisation rates in Australia are already high, with over 93% of five-year-old children fully vaccinated, there are areas where the immunisation rate is too low, putting thousands of vulnerable people at risk.
It is these areas of low coverage which pose risks to the community, especially to people who can't be vaccinated, like newborns and those with medical reasons, the Health Department warning says.
Minister Greg Hunt said, "The science is in and the medical experts' advice is absolute -- vaccinations save lives and protect lives and they are an essential part of a healthy society.
"I have no time for the false and reckless claims made around vaccination by some in our community and I will continue to call out their dangerous claims with the scientific facts."
The campaign aims to help parents access evidence-based information to support their decision making about childhood vaccinations.
The second phase of the $5.5m education campaign will run for six weeks through online video, social media and online search, as well as on screens in health clinics and GP surgeries.
More at campaigns.health.gov.au.
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