Following the Australian Government’s recent changes to the childhood and adolescent National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule, including the implementation of an adolescent Meningococcal ACWY program, and the transition of HPV vaccination records into the Australian Immunisation Register, the Department of Human Services (DHS) has commenced sending additional reminder letters to individuals overdue for vaccination.
Currently, parents of children overdue for vaccination are sent reminder letters when their children are 10, 21 and 54 months. From June 2019, additional letters will be sent to families – who are not in receipt of family assistance payments – for children aged 7, 13, 15, 19 and 49 months. Adolescents who are overdue for their childhood and adolescent vaccinations will be sent letters when they are 14.5, 17 and 18 years of age.
These additional letters advise individuals to contact their GP to receive missed vaccine/s whilst they are still eligible to receive funded catch-up immunisations through the NIP.
Copies of the letters are included below:
Example of overdue letter for children
Example of overdue letter for adolescents
With the Australian Government Department of Health.
Disclaimer: This article was provided by Department of Health. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency and completeness of any information or material included within.
