Australians unwilling to protect against fatal lung infection

Three-in-four Australian adults do not consider ‘life-threatening consequences’ as sufficient motivation to vaccinate against pneumococcal pneumonia. This is according to Lung Foundation Australia research released today (May 16, 2017) to mark Know Pneumonia Day. According to respiratory physician and Lung Foundation Australia Respiratory Infectious Disease Committee Chair, Associate Professor Lucy Morgan, Sydney, Australians are not being…

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Budget 2017: What it means for Australia’s health

Budget highlights for health: “The Government will establish the Medicare Guarantee Fund to secure the ongoing funding of the Medicare Benefits Schedule and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme into the future. “In this Budget, the Government will provide $1.0 billion to reintroduce indexation for certain items on the MBS. This will commence with General Practitioner (GP)…

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Poor childhood vaccination report card for inner-city Brisbane suburb

Brisbane’s well-heeled inner city suburbs have recorded some of the lowest vaccination rates in Australia. According to recently published Federal Health Department data reported by the Courier Mail, inner city Brisbane suburbs, including West End, South Brisbane, Highgate Hill, New Farm and Fortitude Valley have vaccination rates as low as 84.35 per cent for children…

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