Parents are being urged not to delay their children's scheduled immunisations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
GPS and health authorities have seen a fall in the number of children presenting for immunisations, believing parents are concerned about taking their children to the doctor because they fear expsoure to COVID-19.
"It is imperative that children are kept from risk of contracting other, serious diseases which are easily prevented as part of the National Immunisation Schedule," said Western Victoria Primary Health Network chief executive Tony Ficca.
Ballarat GP Dr Amy Litras said it was safe for children to visit the family GP.
"Children should visit their GP when they need too, including for immunisations. General practices across the country have been working hard to introduce policies and procedures to keep their patients safe during the COVID-19 pandemic," she said.
"We don't know how long the current social distancing measures will remain in place and every day a child's immunisations are delayed, it is another day they are at risk from a vaccine-preventable infectious disease."
The Western Victoria PHN, which stretches from Geelong and Ballarat through to the South Australian border, has the highest childhood immunisation rates in Australia.
According to data from December 2019, western Victoria leads the country with 96.52 per cent of 12 to 15 month old children and 94.87 per cent of 24 to 27 month old children fully immunised, rising to just over 97 per cent of all five year olds.
It's not just parents shying away from taking their children to the GP.
Federal Labor MP Catherine King urged people in Ballarat not to neglect their health and wellbeing and to see their GP if they need to after doctors raised concerns that patients were avoiding important medical consultation or tests, or were unsure about accessing telehealth during the pandemic.
"It is understandable that some people may be hesitant to take care of health concerns due to fears about coronavirus, but we can't have people neglecting their health and wellbeing," Ms King said.
"It is now more important than ever for people in Ballarat to take care of their health and see their GP for any health issues."
Expanded telehealth and telephone consultation services are also now available and covered through Medicare.
Lake Imaging is also concerned that people are putting off having vital scans because of coronavirus fears.
People with tumours, sporting injuries, women who are pregnant, people with dental issues and many more still need scans and imaging irrespective of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Oncology patients suffering from cancers are a group of patients that require important scans and are particularly vulnerable," said radiologist Dr Alex Meakin.
YOU MIGHT LIKE: Ballarat Sports and Events Centre expansion plans revealed
"The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges to the way we practise medicine. It has required that we continually develop, implement and adapt new ways of providing care in an environment that continues to evolve and can change in days, even hours.
"Radiology is an indispensable part of modern medical practice and despite the pandemic many people continue to require our involvement in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of their medical conditions. We feel a strong sense of responsibility to care for these patients and have endeavoured to maintain a fully comprehensive and accessible service to provide for their needs".
Have you signed up to The Courier's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.
