VACCINATION rates for children in the Central West are among the highest in Australia, new data shows.
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The National Immunisation Program is a series of vaccinations recommended from birth through to adulthood, and in this region the majority of parents are following the schedule.
For the seventh-straight reporting period, Western NSW has had the highest rates of immunisation in children aged 60 to 63 months in Australia, at 97.3 per cent, the latest Australian Immunisation Register Coverage Report shows.
The region also has the equal-highest rates of immunisation in children aged 12 to 15 months at 96.5 per cent, and the second highest rate of immunisation in children aged 24 to 27 months at 94.0 per cent.
Clinical nurse consultant with the Western NSW Local Health District, Carol McKelvie, said having more people vaccinated leads to better overall health of the community
"We've got great rates here because we have a group of health practitioners who are passionate about the health of their community," she said.
"It shows that people believe in the evidence and the science."
Ms McKelvie said while it was easier to commence vaccinating your child from birth, it is never too late to catch up on immunisations.
"If you're not sure of your vaccination status or you want to start vaccinating, go to the doctor and they can check if you're due and start organising vaccinations," she said.
It shows that people believe in the evidence and the science.
- Clinical nurse consultant with the Western NSW Local Health District, Carol McKelvie
"The longer you leave it the more you're at risk of preventable diseases.
"For people up to 20 years old, the NSW Government will provide free childhood vaccinations."
For anyone born from 1966 onward, the measles vaccinations is free.
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Western NSW Primary Health Network chief executive officer Andrew Harvey said he was thrilled with the latest vaccination report for the region.
"While the region's results are above the national averages and above the aspirational goal of 95 per cent in most instances, we will continue to work with the region's health professionals and parents to ensure we can continue to grow immunisation rates to be as high as achievable," he said.
Mr Harvey said this would give children the "best chance possible to combat vaccine preventable diseases well into the future".