Dr LIM - 1994-10-13
As the minister would be aware, the Territory government was the first in the country to introduce universal infant vaccination against the Haemophilus Influenza type B virus, better known as the Hib disease. Can the minister provide an update on the immunisation success achieved by this program?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, as a doctor, the member for Greatorex would be aware of the great benefit that has derived to Territory families and, in particular, Territory children following the introduction of Hib vaccinations. In fact, I recall receiving a telephone call one Saturday night early last year from a well-known and respected paediatrician practising in Darwin, Dr Paul Bauert, who was somewhat distressed given that, in February last year, federal health agencies had approved the Hib vaccine as being appropriate for use in Australia but it had not been made available. Members should bear in mind that, in Scandinavia and the United States in the 3 years prior to that, the vaccine had virtually eliminated Hib in those countries and had protected children from infection by Hib. On the occasion when he telephoned me, Dr Bauert was faced with the very difficult task of treating a child who had been infected with Hib. Naturally, he was distressed by the fact that that would have been unnecessary if we had had a vaccination program in the Northern Territory.
As a consequence of that and other discussions which I had with Dr Bauert, a submission was taken to Cabinet which, in April last year, was approved to the extent of $150 000 for the introduction of free Hib vaccination for Territory infants up to the age of 18 months. Subsequently, from July last year, an additional $400 000 was provided by the Territory government for what was then called the 'Catch-up Program of Vaccinations' for children up to 5 years of age. The success of that campaign has been remarkable. The Territory was the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce free vaccinations for Hib. As a result, we have avoided certain death for some children and other complications which derive from the disease. Members should bear in mind that the Northern Territory and, in particular, central Australian Aboriginal children had the highest incidence of Hib disease in the world at that time. Between 1985 and 1988, 3 Aboriginal children and one non-Aboriginal child died and 2 children died of the disease last year. However, as a result of our vaccination program, I am pleased to say that no cases of Hib infection have been reported in a fully-immunised child since 21 September last year. Before the vaccination program, Hib disease was the most common cause of meningitis in children under the age of 5. Among meningitis sufferers who survive infection, 20% to 30% develop permanent disability ranging from hearing impairment to profound mental retardation.
The vaccination coverage rates in the Northern Territory in rural children aged 2 years have reached 95% and higher for the recommended immunisations for children conducted and approved by the Department of Health and Community Services. That is an astounding level of success. To be able to immunise 95% of children in the appropriate age groups has been recognised and held up nationally as an example for state health
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departments to follow. No doubt, in that context, our programs are being used as a model elsewhere in Australia.
In the Cabinet papers that recommended the establishment of this immunisation program, Cabinet was advised that 37 cases over 3 years would have been avoided with the introduction of the Hib immunisation program. I believe the fact that we have not seen an immunised child with any infection since September last year illustrates clearly the success of the program. I would like to commend the Communicable Diseases Centre of the Department of Health and Community Services and its staff, for the excellent way in which they have administered and implemented this program. Parents in the Northern Territory may be justifiably proud of their success. I think it is another excellent example of the wonderful service that Territorians receive from the staff of the Department of Health and Community Services. This is but one example of that but a fine one, and I take this opportunity to commend the Communicable Diseases Centre for its success and I am sure that honourable members join me in that commendation.
Members: Hear, hear!
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, as a doctor, the member for Greatorex would be aware of the great benefit that has derived to Territory families and, in particular, Territory children following the introduction of Hib vaccinations. In fact, I recall receiving a telephone call one Saturday night early last year from a well-known and respected paediatrician practising in Darwin, Dr Paul Bauert, who was somewhat distressed given that, in February last year, federal health agencies had approved the Hib vaccine as being appropriate for use in Australia but it had not been made available. Members should bear in mind that, in Scandinavia and the United States in the 3 years prior to that, the vaccine had virtually eliminated Hib in those countries and had protected children from infection by Hib. On the occasion when he telephoned me, Dr Bauert was faced with the very difficult task of treating a child who had been infected with Hib. Naturally, he was distressed by the fact that that would have been unnecessary if we had had a vaccination program in the Northern Territory.
As a consequence of that and other discussions which I had with Dr Bauert, a submission was taken to Cabinet which, in April last year, was approved to the extent of $150 000 for the introduction of free Hib vaccination for Territory infants up to the age of 18 months. Subsequently, from July last year, an additional $400 000 was provided by the Territory government for what was then called the 'Catch-up Program of Vaccinations' for children up to 5 years of age. The success of that campaign has been remarkable. The Territory was the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce free vaccinations for Hib. As a result, we have avoided certain death for some children and other complications which derive from the disease. Members should bear in mind that the Northern Territory and, in particular, central Australian Aboriginal children had the highest incidence of Hib disease in the world at that time. Between 1985 and 1988, 3 Aboriginal children and one non-Aboriginal child died and 2 children died of the disease last year. However, as a result of our vaccination program, I am pleased to say that no cases of Hib infection have been reported in a fully-immunised child since 21 September last year. Before the vaccination program, Hib disease was the most common cause of meningitis in children under the age of 5. Among meningitis sufferers who survive infection, 20% to 30% develop permanent disability ranging from hearing impairment to profound mental retardation.
The vaccination coverage rates in the Northern Territory in rural children aged 2 years have reached 95% and higher for the recommended immunisations for children conducted and approved by the Department of Health and Community Services. That is an astounding level of success. To be able to immunise 95% of children in the appropriate age groups has been recognised and held up nationally as an example for state health
Page 241
departments to follow. No doubt, in that context, our programs are being used as a model elsewhere in Australia.
In the Cabinet papers that recommended the establishment of this immunisation program, Cabinet was advised that 37 cases over 3 years would have been avoided with the introduction of the Hib immunisation program. I believe the fact that we have not seen an immunised child with any infection since September last year illustrates clearly the success of the program. I would like to commend the Communicable Diseases Centre of the Department of Health and Community Services and its staff, for the excellent way in which they have administered and implemented this program. Parents in the Northern Territory may be justifiably proud of their success. I think it is another excellent example of the wonderful service that Territorians receive from the staff of the Department of Health and Community Services. This is but one example of that but a fine one, and I take this opportunity to commend the Communicable Diseases Centre for its success and I am sure that honourable members join me in that commendation.
Members: Hear, hear!
Page 242
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016