AMA welcomes Labor's vaccination pledge

Dr Haikerwal said the AMA has been campaigning for full funding of the Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule (ASVS) for some time and had expressed its disappointment that the schedule, especially for pneumococcal disease, was not funded in Tuesday's Budget.

"Labor's commitment to fund the vaccines at a claimed cost of $304 million over four years is good policy," Dr Haikerwal said.

"We believe the funding should always have been in the Budget.  It represents excellent value for money.

"It is commonsense and is based on the best advice and recommendation of the Government's own advisory group as well as senior medical and scientific authorities.

"It is a responsible and affordable investment in the health of our children.  It is proven that vaccination lessens the load on the health system and prevents many young children becoming sick.

"In very serious cases of pneumococcal disease, for example, a child may be permanently disabled or even die.

"Against the advice of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation and the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Federal Government last year decided not to fund the current full Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule, which covers a new polio vaccine, varicella (chicken pox), and pneumococcal disease.

"This decision meant that many parents faced costs of up to $500 to fully immunise their children.

"There are reports that Health Minister, Tony Abbott, has resumed talks with Wyeth about sourcing pneumococcal vaccine.

"It would have made more sense to make the ASVS funding announcement in the Budget.

"The Labor Party has today announced a vaccination policy that will appeal to Australian families.

"It is a policy worth pinching.

"Australia has been at the forefront of immunisation, but has dropped the ball in recent times.  We must regain our reputation as a world leader in childhood vaccination," Dr Haikerwal said.

CONTACT:         John Flannery            (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761