Proportion of the target population covered by...

This table provides annualised national immunisation coverage rates for one, two and five year olds. Rates are calculated based on the preceding rolling four quarters. Data is sourced from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) administered by the Commonwealth Department, Services Australia. 2020 coverage rates include data to the end of the December 2020 assessment quarter. The data shows the proportion of children fully immunised at one, two and five years of age according to the National Immunisation Program Schedule.

• From quarter ending 31 December 2013, pneumococcal (dose 3) was included in the definition of fully immunised for the 12 to less than 15 months cohort.
• From quarter ending 31 December 2014, meningococcal C (given at 12 months), and dose 2 measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and dose 1 varicella (given as MMRV at 18 months) were included in the definition of fully immunised for the 24 to 27 month cohort.
• From quarter ending 31 March 2017, DTP dose 4 (given at 18 months) was included in the definition for fully immunised for 24 to less than 27 months.
• From quarter ending 31 December 2017, dose 2 measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) was removed from the definition of fully immunised for the 60 to 63 month cohort.

The inclusion of these immunisations to the definition of ‘fully immunised’ caused a drop in the coverage rates. The more antigens included in the assessment, the higher the likelihood of reduced coverage rates. This usually resolves over time as the changes become more routine.