Protecting children against illness through a free childhood immunisation program has long been an important service provided by Murrindindi Shire Council.
Council’s Maternal and Child Health Centres are pleased to be offering free immunisation to children – the vaccine to prevent Childhood Influenza.
From May 17 Council’s Maternal and Child Health Centres in Alexandra, Yea and Kinglake will be hosting monthly immunisation sessions to support children’s access to the childhood influenza immunisation. Other free government-issued childhood immunisations are also available at these sessions.
Murrindindi Shire Council’s Community Services Councillor Sandice McAulay said the Childhood Influenza Vaccination Program is an important public health initiative made possible by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.
“Funding to date has only allowed for the free immunisation of children with known risk factors. However, due to the increasing prevalence of influenza in children without known risk factors, this new program will vaccinate all children between 6 months and under five years old.
“Worryingly, data from Victorian hospitals shows a significant increase in the number of children without any known risk factors being hospitalised with influenza in the last few years.
“Childhood influenza is like adult influenza in that it might appear like a common cold to begin with, but for a child it can rapidly develop into a life threatening situation.
“Council provides children in Murrindindi Shire with 15 different vaccinations over seven immunisation visits. These immunisations would typically happen between birth and the age of four years old. Immunisation is a proven way to prevent serious and avoidable illnesses.
Immunisation sessions will be run at Council’s Maternal and Child Health Centres in Yea on the first Thursday of the month from 11am to 1.30pm; in Kinglake on the third Thursday of the month between 11.45am and 1.15pm; and, in Alexandra on the last Thursday of the month between 10am and 11.30am. Parents are invited to discuss their child’s immunisation options with their Maternal and Child Health Nurse.
