There might just be a new threat to vaccination levels in Australia. And this time, it’s not anti-vaxxers.
It’s the Federal Government.
How so? Because under the 2013-14 Budget, the $7 Medicare co-payment will apply to each and every visit to the doctor (for up to 10 visits), including visits to receive vaccinations.
The Australian Medical Association has revealed that important childhood vaccination visits will now incur the $7 fee – where previously they were free under the bulk-billing system. There will not be exceptions for low-income earners.
Now, as the continued debate about the $7 co-payment proves, there are many who don’t think that this amount of money is a significant burden. But as Jessica Kaufman writes for The Drum:
The current vaccination schedule requires six separate GP visits to receive vaccines in the first 18 months of a child’s life.
Let’s imagine a fairly typical scenario: a family with young children has a bad week – the power bill is due, the car breaks down, one kid has an ear infection and the baby is due for a vaccination.
If there is not enough to cover every expense, which one do you think will get dropped or postponed?
The danger that comes when children have their vaccinations delayed is that a child’s vaccination schedule is not being followed. Currently, children are vaccinated with a specific amount of time between each of their doses. As soon as they are “under-vaccinated”, they may be more susceptible to diseases – and more likely to spread diseases to other children around them.
Especially babies, or children with compromised immune systems.