The Federal Government has announced the release of the newest edition of the Immunisation Myths and Realities booklet, providing practitioners with enough information to blast even the most obstinately ill-informed patient out of the water.

Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said that the new edition will help fend off the spread of disinformation about the safety of vaccination.

“Vaccination has been repeatedly demonstrated to be one of the most effective public health measures at our disposal and saves an estimated three million lives around the world each year,” Ms Plibersek said.

“Dr Google has been a negative influence in this debate. Instead of giving credence to thoroughly disproved theories, parents should read about the myths and realities of vaccination in this booklet and talk to their GP.”

Ms Plibersek said no vaccine or medicine can be completely guaranteed to be without side-effects, but these are infrequent and mainly very mild. The benefit of the vaccine in terms of reducing illness and death far outweighs this small risk.

In Australia vaccines must pass stringent safety testing before being approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the safety of vaccines is continually monitored once they are in use. 

Ms Plibersek said the latest edition of the Immunisation Myths and Realities booklet responds to some of the common myths and concerns that health professionals encounter when discussing vaccinations with parents or patients.

A report by the National Health Performance Authority on Immunisation rates for children in 2011-12 found that Australia is achieving high immunisation rates at the national level, achieving at or above 90 per cent average coverage for children at one, two and five years of age.

“While rates of vaccination are high there are pockets of lower than average cover, indicating some children are at a higher risk of contracting diseases such as measles and whooping cough.”