Praise for vaccinations as Australia declared free of rubella

A CONTAGIOUS viral disease that can result in miscarriage or stillbirth has been eliminated from Australia.

The World Health Organisation will today reveal rubella — also known as German measles — has been eradicated from the country, sending a powerful message that vaccinations work.

If contracted by pregnant women during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, the disease can result in miscarriage or stillbirth, or cause lifelong problems for their babies.

Australia has battled with rubella throughout its history, with at least three epidemics over the past 50 years. There were 5000 cases reported in 1958, more than 3000 in 1963-64 and more than 4000 in the early 1990s. In 2010, there were 22 cases in Victoria, but it fell to just two cases in 2017 and 10 across the country.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the elimination of rubella was a “great day for public health in Austra- lia” and showed the benefit of vaccinations.

“Our National Immunisation Program played an essential role in this huge achievement by ensuring high levels of vaccination coverage for rubella.

“The science is in and the medical experts’ advice is absolute — vaccinations save lives and protect lives and they Melbourne................... 103 Rural............................. 156 Melbourne................... 140 Rural............................. 150 Melbourne..................... 115 Rural ............................. 137 Melbourne.................... 110 Rural............................. 138

Australian Road Safety Foundation CEO Russell White urged road users to be responsible for reducing the road toll.

“Research has told us that the main reason drivers are taking more risks on rural roads is because they’re less likely to get caught,” Mr White said.

“We will continue to see unnecessary loss of life on regional roads until we make the effort to shift this mentality so that we’re driving with safety front of mind.”

The TAC claims flexible safety barriers built on the are an essential part of a healthy society.”

Rubella is easily spread by unvaccinated people, through droplets from the nose, mouth or by direct contact. Anyone who is not immune is at risk of catching the infection.

Mr Hunt said Australia’s “high-performing” surveillance systems played a huge role in rapidly detecting and responding to rubella cases.

“The current National Immunisation Program provides free vaccination for protection against rubella for children aged 12 months with a booster at 18 months,” Mr Hunt said.

“Only last week I announced the nationwide immunisation rates for five-yearolds was 94.62 per cent, which is the highest figure on record.”