THE Shire of Yarra Ranges has announced the introduction of a new vaccination schedule which will see the oral polio vaccine replaced.
Previously the oral polio vaccine used a live virus, whereas the new vaccine is injected and is inactive, which eliminates the chance of contracting the disease from being vaccinated.
Other changes to the schedule will see the introduction of a new chicken pox vaccine for children 18-months and older and a catch up dose for year seven students who are not immune or haven’t been vaccinated against the disease.
Shire chief executive officer Rob Hauser said the shire would no longer be offering the Infanrix and the oral polio vaccine which were previously administered at two, four and six months and four years of age.
Mr Hauser said the polio vaccine will now be administered with the tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough vaccinations. For more details on the schedule contact the shire’s public health services on 1300 368 333.
Volunteers
PEOPLE over 18 looking to volunteer a few hours per week to support isolated elderly people and people with disabilities in the Yarra Ranges area are invited to contact Wesley Do Care. For further information, phone 9762 5211.
