Dr Rod Edwards PhD     This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University

IMMUNISATIONS

BEFORE IMMUNISATIONS -  6384 children died from diphtheria from 1907 to 1916 - Now only 5 have died in the last 3 decades
BEFORE IMMUNISATIONS -   4,135 died from pertussis (whooping cough) from 1907 to 1916 - Now only 12 or 13 have died in each of the last 3 decades)
ADD TO THAT similar mortality decreases in tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles and T.B
WHY? - The major reason for the reductions in the mortality rate from these diseases is immunisation.
IMMUNISATION – An Important Disease Prevention Process
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many children died, or became seriously ill from vaccine preventable diseases such as diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).  My paternal grandfather was the only one of six brothers who lived beyond eight years due to diphtheria:
The Daylesford Times of October 1887 reads:
EDWARDS- In loving memory of the dear children of John and Louisa Edwards. Walter, who died October 5, 1887 aged 3 years and 9 months, Alex, October 8. Aged 6 years, Georgie October 11, aged 14 months, Bertie, October 24, aged 8 years. “Safe in the Arms of Jesus”
The fifth brother died in 1890, aged 2, also from diphtheria.
In the decade 1907-1916, 6384 children died from diphtheria. 
The research and breakthroughs continue with such diseases as influenza and some strains of  human papillomavirus (the major cause of cervical cancer).  One would hope this continues for other diseases such as HIV (which causes AIDS) and dengue fever.
How do they work
Vaccine-preventable diseases are caused by pathogens (viruses or bacteria).  With some of these, exposure allows the body to build up some immunity with the development of anti-bodies and disease fighting cells.  Vaccines consist of killed or weakened versions of the organisms which allow the body to build up defences.
Opposition
I do understand that there are occasionally (in fact, extremely rarely) problems resulting from procedures.  In my (educated) opinion, the benefits to society and individuals of immunisation, by far outweigh any negatives.  Parents should read the information from their doctor and government health departments as well as opponents material (readily available on the web) to make up their minds.
Recommendations
Vaccines do work and have saved many lives, prevented much illness and have saved society a lot of money.
Recent well-publicised out-breaks of measles and whooping cough should alert people to the need for immunisation.
All parents should take advantage of being in a country with a high standard of medical care and make sure that their children’s immunisations are up to date and all adults should check their own currency of protection.  Schedules and vaccinations are available from the Dayboro Medical Centre.
Alternatively, the Council website outlines availability as follows:
Council’s immunisation clinics provide vaccines, as recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council, FREE of charge to eligible clients.
The schedule includes vaccinations that provide protection against poliomyelitis, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Hepatitis B, Haemophilus Influenzae Type B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chicken pox, Pneumococcal, Rota Virus and Human Papillomavirus.
No appointment is necessary.  Please bring your child’s record book and Medicare card.
School Immunisation Programs
Students attending schools within Moreton Bay Region are eligible for vaccination through the School Based Vaccination Program.  Vaccines are provided in accordance with the recommendations of the National Health and Medical Research Council. 
High schools students will be offered the following vaccines:
Year      Disease                        Students Eligible
8         Hepatitis B                    Males and Females
8         Varicella (Chicken Pox)        Males and Females
8         Human Papillomavirus           Females only
          (Cervical Cance Vaccine)
10        Tetanus, Pertussis             Males and Females
          (whoopng cough)
          Diptheria
Editor’s comment:  Is it true that, had the anti-Immunisations lobby group not been so good at spreading their "word", many of these diseases may have been totally irradicated by now?  There are, of course, also a number of complacent parents who didn't get around to getting it done.