Family Doctor Week - Check with your GP about Immunisation
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, today advised all Australians to check with their GP about their immunisation or the immunisation of a child or relative.
Dr Glasson said that GPs are as important in preventing disease as they are at diagnosing illnesses and treating patients who are sick.
"Visiting a GP to be immunised or to update immunisation is a healthy practice," Dr Glasson said.
"Immunisation is one of the main preventive activities carried out by family doctors.
"It is because of immunisation that many deadly diseases are no longer seen in countries such as Australia.
"We no longer have epidemics of the killer diseases such as diphtheria and polio.
"Thanks to immunisation the number of deaf and blind children, born to mothers who had rubella in pregnancy, is now very low.
"Immunisation not only gives individual protection against specific diseases but also protects the whole community.
"If enough people are immunised, then specific germs will be eradicated from the community and certain diseases will no longer occur.
"I urge parents to visit their GP to have their children immunised.
"All babies are immunised against Hepatitis B soon after birth but need to be immunised against other diseases at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months, and at 4 years of age.
"GPs send documentation of a child's immunisation record into the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register so that parents can claim the Maternity Allowance payment and the Childcare Assistance Rebate.
"But it is not just children who need to be immunised.
"Teenagers need to have a booster against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough when they reach 15-17 years of age.
"Adults also need to keep their immunisation up to date," Dr Glasson said.
Family Doctor Week runs from 11 to 17 July, and is supported by American Express.