ACT Medicare Local has put a plee out to parents to immunise their four-year-old children before their first day of school.

The vaccinations, in conjunction with Medicare’s Healthy Kids Check, protects children aged from 3 ½ years from preventable infectious diseases such as measles, whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, mumps and rubella.

“These diseases can be painful and in some cases can lead to permanent disability or death,” ACTML Chair Dr Rashmi Sharma said.

“The booster doses due at four years of age are essential to complete your child’s immunisation schedule and ensure they are protected.

“With current cases of whooping cough and measles still evident in the ACT community, it is essential your child receives the booster to protect them.”

The Healthy Kids Check is aimed at improving the health and well-being of Australian children and promotes early detection of lifestyle risk factors and delayed development and illness.

Dr Sharma says recent data about childhood vaccination rates show Canberra parents are keen to protect their children from preventable childhood diseases through immunisation.

“We enjoy high rates of immunisation in the ACT.  We are a leader in national immunisation rates and would like for this to continue,” Dr Sharma said.

“Parents are encouraged to speak with their GP, general practice nurse or maternal and child health nurse about immunising their child before they start school.”